Syl Johnson – Is It Because I’m Black – Vinyl LP

Ten years into his role as poster boy for pop soul and peak-hour R&B, Syl Johnson has an unlikely overachiever, cutting his most inspiring and powerful album yet. The title track, coupled with the politically charged ‘I’m Talking About Freedom’ and the ghetto-conscious ‘Concrete Reservation’, sealed the album’s political bonafides. “Right On,” “Together Forever,” “Come Together,” and “Black Balloons” are positively uplifting, forming their own pot of gold at the end of a grayscale rainbow. Fifty years later, “Is It Because I’m Black” is still as relevant as the day it was released. No liner notes. No extra tracks. Precisely the greatest Black concept album of all time.

1 It Is Because I’m Black
2 Come Together
3 Together, Forever
4 Concrete Reservation
5 Black Balloons
6 Walk a Mile in My Shoes
7 I’m Talkin’ ‘Bout Freedom
8 Right On