It Tears Me Up-Best of
This 23-track collection illustrates the breadth of the soul singer best known for "When a Man Loves a Woman." An Alabama native, Sledge is backed by the giants of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, and they lock rhythms like brothers. Unafraid to croon his magic on other artists' signature ballads--"The Dark End of the Street," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Rainbow Road," and "Love Me Tender"--Sledge also has command of the dance floor. His "Put a Little Lovin' on Me" and "Love Me Like You Mean It" corral the energy of James Brown and jump with the funk.--Robert Gordon