# CD review: Ben E. King – Supernatural Soul 2022: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2023/01/08/cd-review-ben-e-king-supernatural-soul-2022-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2023-01-08T00:04:27+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**When this arrived in the mail I said to myself, “But he’s gone.” So I read the
promo materials. “The great soul legend Ben E. King is joined by friends and admirers
on these recut versions of King’s most beloved hits!**

King’s voice sounds as good as ever on this collection while funky bass icon Bootsy
Collins breathes new life into “Supernatural Thing, Part 1” while up-and-coming 
R&B artist Bette Smith joins blues guitar phenom Ronnie Earl on a rousing version
of “Stand By Me!” King’s influence can continue to be felt and heard in retro soul
artists such as Black Pumas, Joss Stone and more!”

Ok, so we’re remastering some of his stuff with current artists laying on some new
stuff. Frankly, I was not so enthused, but then I played the CD. What they’ve done
here is similar to Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie, only with a few more 
artists.

“Stand By Me” featuring Bette Smith & Ronnie Earl begins as usual with Mr. King,
but then Bette comes in for her part and then a duet and it’s cool. Ronnie Earl 
adds som restrained and tasteful licks and it works, too! “Supernatural Thing, Part
I” features Bootsy Collins on a bass that goes way down low. Funky and well done!
The classic “Spanish Harlem” features Rafael Riqueni adding some very slick flamenco
guitar to the mix. “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” is a re-recording that sounds
fresh and clean.

Next is the re-recorded version of “Amor” which also sounds sweet and new. The same
is true for “Do It In The Name Of Love,” “I Had A Love” and “Seven Letters.”

The 2022 re-mix of “Stand By Me” is haunting cool. Then it’s an instrumental version
of “Supernatural Thing, Part I” which also features Bootsy Collins and it’s get 
down, get dirty and get funky good. The finale is a “Drifters Medley: This Magic
Moment / Dance With Me / There Goes My Baby / Save The Last Dance For Me.” This 
is apparently not on the vinyl version as it is listed as an exclusive CD bonus 
track. It’s a nicely redone set of tunes in a great medley of King classic from 
the Drifters.

Nostalgically cool and well done renditions and remixes of Ben E. King. Ok, the 
originals are classics but this remastering and re-recording is done with good taste,
with excellent musicians and with great respect to an iconic figure from soul and
R&B of my youth. It was a fantastic trip down memory lane!

![Ben E. King – Supernatural Soul | Album Review – Blues Blast Magazine](https://
i0.wp.com/www.bluesblastmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/benkingcd.jpg?resize
=640%2C640&ssl=1)

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