Album of the Day

Percy Sledge was working in a hospital when he teamed with local DJ Quin Ivy to try his luck making records; the pair succeeded beyond their wildest dreams with “When A Man Loves A Woman.” Improvising lyrics at the microphone, Sledge poured his heart out on the song, which soared to the top of the U.S. singles chart and became one of the most iconic R&B singles of all time. Naturally his label, Atlantic Records, capitalized on the hit with an album (released 50 years ago today), but WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN doesn't play like any cash-in. With simmering sides like “You're Pouring Water On A Drowning Man” and “Put A Little Lovin' On Me” among its 11 tracks, the collection ranks with the best deep Southern soul ever to emerge from Alabama's storied Muscle Shoals studio.