Silk and Soul

On 1967's SILK & SOUL Nina Simone brings her blues- and jazz-steeped background to a set of more straightforward soul tunes. As usual, though, there is little straightforward about Simone's versatile delivery, which ranges from smooth, understated groovers (a nightclub-styled version of "The Look of Love") to bluesy, jazzy swing ("Go to Hell") to horn-driven R&B ("Why Must Your Love Well Be So Dry"). While the album may not be the best place for the Simone novice to begin, it includes plenty of excellent performances.