PERFORMER: RAY CHARLES
ALBUM: MY WORLD
LABEL: WARNER BROS.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A whistle-slick set of stylish tunes is a reminder that there's still genius beneath the hustle.
What becalms a legend most? Familiarity and longevity are the twin chief curses of American celebrity. Hustling Pepsi on TV -- in the foxy company of a trio of backup singers hovering over the keyboard, dispensing flash-point smiles -- may do wonders for the soda, but it does tend to sell soul a bit short. It's tough to be a genius and a pitchman at the same time, especially when the TV spots...
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