Ray Charles bol americký spevák, klavirista a hudobný skladateľ, často označovaný prezývkou „The Genius“. Jeho tvorba zahŕňala rhythm & blues, soul, jazz aj country a svojím emotívnym prístupom pomohol formovať zvuk modernej populárnej hudby. Časopis Rolling Stone ho v roku 2004 zaradil na 10. priečku zoznamu najväčších umelcov všetkých čias.
Tento trojdiskový kompilačný set 60 Essential Tracks na CD v digipaku zhromažďuje šesťdesiat kľúčových skladieb Charlesovej kariéry. Na prvom disku nájdeme rané rhythm & bluesové hity ako „What'd I Say“, „I Got a Woman“ či „Hallelujah I Love Her So“. Druhý disk prináša okrem iného jeho slávnu „Georgia On My Mind“, „Hit the Road, Jack“ a „(The Night Time is) the Right Time“. Tretí disk obsahuje countryové interpretácie vrátane „I Can't Stop Loving You“, „Your Cheating Heart“ a „Unchain My Heart“. Set tak mapuje celú šírku Charlesovho umeleckého rozpätia od soulu cez jazz až po pop a country.
Skladby
CD1
1. What'd I Say (Parts 1 &2)
2. I Got a Woman
3. Hallelujah I Love Her So
4. Mess Around
5. Funny (But I Still Love You)
6. Sinner's Prayer
7. Don't You Know?
8. Come Back, Baby
9. This Little Girl of Mine
10. A Fool For You
11. Blackjack
12. Greenbacks
13. Drown In My Own Tears
14. Mary Ann
15. What Would I Do Without You?
16. Lonely Avenue
17. Leave My Woman Alone
18. I Want To Know
19. Ain't That Love
20. It's All Right
CD2
1. Hit the Road, Jack
2. Georgia On My Mind
3. Get On the Right Track, Baby
4. Swanee River Rock
5. Talkin' 'Bout You
6. Yes, Indeed
7. I Had a Dream
8. Rockhouse (Parts 1&2)
9. (the Night Time is) the Right Time
10. Tell All the World About You
11. That's Enough
12. I'm Moving On
13. I Believe To My Soul
14. Let the Good Times Roll
15. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
16. Heartbreaker
17. Just For a Thrill
18. You Won't Let Me Go
19. Come Rain or Come Shine
20. Who You Gonna Love?
CD3
1. I Can't Stop Loving You
2. Take These Chains From My Heart
3. You Don't Know Me
4. Your Cheating Heart
5. You Are My Sunshine
6. Sticks and Stones
7. Worried Life Blues
8. Them That Got
9. One Mint Julep
10. I've Got News For You
11. Moanin'
12. I'm Gonna Move To the Outskirts of Town
13. Ruby
14. Hardhearted Hannah
15. Unchain My Heart
16. But On the Other Hand, Baby
17. Baby, It's Cold Outside
18. Born To Lose
19. You Win Again
20. Careless Love
