2006's THE ULTIMATE JACKIE WILSON is a spectacular two-disc set that brings together the R&B icon's best work for Brunswick records. As one of the key architects of soul, Wilson had an inestimable impact on the genre, and the dynamic performing style that earned him the nickname Mr. Excitement--combined with his elastic tenor--comes across on each of these 44 tracks. The Wilson classics "Lonely Teardrops" and "Reet Petite" kick off disc one, while the immaculate "Higher & Higher (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me)" begins disc two, and his many renditions of standards ("Georgia On My Mind") and popular songs of the day ("Light My Fire") are also included. For an economical and comprehensive introduction to this soul great, it's hard to beat THE ULTIMATE JACKIE WILSON.