The legendary soul king Percy Sledge began his career singing in Alabama in the 1960s and soon got the attention of producers Marlin Greene and Quin Ivy who in turn brought this fine gentleman of song to Atlantic Records. In record time, "When A Man Loves A Woman" burst into the soul charts and quickly hit No. 1. The classic love song crossed over to the top of the pop charts in 1966, making this one of the most important recordings ever in the annals of popular music.

The artist himself has never stopped working, thanks to this wonderful track, which has gone on to earn him multitudes of awards, accolades and earn Sledge a reputation of being one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

This amazing love song has been the subject of movies, television, as well as a bevy of interpretations by such artists as Art Garfunkel, Marvin Gaye and Michael Bolton. Its effect has been long lasting and will most likely be played, sung and loved hundreds of years from now.

More big hits followed for Percy Sledge as the record buyers and radio stations needed more soul infusion with smashes such as "Warm And Tender Love," "Take Time To Know Her," "Cover Me" and others. His angelic voice is about as sad and soulful as it can get, and the tunes are just the perfect vehicle to showcase the wonderful talent of this great R&B crooner.

As a continuing exploration into the original greatest hits albums of the Warner Bros-Elektra-Atlantic Records vaults, Friday Music is so very honored to offer the wonderful soul sounds of Percy Sledge and his great The Best Of Percy Sledge album, for the first time on gold vinyl.

The original rare vinyl LP is now back in the vinyl domain, with all of its original twelve masterpiece tracks mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso ( Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Booker T. & The M.G.'s ) from the original Atlantic tapes at Friday Music Studios & Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA with Ron McMaster.

For this limited edition soul event, Friday Music is also including its original retro 1969 artwork elements, designed by the great Loring Eutemey with its stunning cover photography by Joel Brodsky.

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