Solomon Burke

Even if the highly anticipated Nothing's Impossible didn't mark the 70 birthday year of soul immortal Solomon Burke, or was the last album that the equally legendary Willie Mitchell (best known for his early '70s work with Al Green) produced before dying this past January, it would have still been a soul music event. The late Mitchell had apparently been pursuing a project with Burke for years and the result is a timeless-sounding Southern soul platter with all of the hallmark elements of Mitchell's early '70s productions: sublime string and horn arrangements, and a deeply tight rhythm section featuring Memphis studio stalwarts "Teenie" Hodges and Lester Snell, among others. Despite his age, Burke is in incredible form, particularly on the longer gospel influenced numbers like "It Must Be Love" and "Dreams." An ill-advised cover of the Anne Murray chestnut "You Needed Me," which dangerously verges into schmaltz territory, is the only blemish on this remarkable album. Nothing's Impossible is a touching swan song from Willie Mitchell and a classic testament to the continuing power of Solomon Burke.