Do you remember when there was a time when R&B/soul music was worth anything? If your age 25 or younger, the answer should be a resounding no. Letís face it, R&B sucks today. Not since the disco era has anyone truly great emerged, and I can count on one hand how many good artists there are today (Díangelo, Musiq, Maxwell, Macy Gray, Jill Scott, and occasionally Alicia Keys, and thatís it). Even legends of yesterday are putting out garbage; just look at the new Isley Brothers album produced by wonder turd R. Kelly. (R in R&B you say? When hell freezes over!) Thankfully, God has sent a messenger to preach the good word of soul music, literally. In his first album of secular music in nearly 25 years, The Reverend Al Green is back with his best album since the mid 70ís. Green has teamed up with his old producer Willie Mitchell from the Hi Records era, and they have made an album that is truly magical. Anyone who has been missing that Stax Memphis soul sound should look no further than this album. Greenís voice has been sorely missed from music, as anyone could tell from the standing ovation he received with his surprise appearance on the Vh1 Big in 2003 awards. And itís also great to know that his voice has not missed a step one bit. He can still make the ladies swoon with his low notes, and make emí scream with his high squeal. New songs such as Play To Win have that Gets Next to You era feel, and Rainin In My Heart is as close to soul masterpiece that you make in this era. Hopefully, artists of today will take note of this album, because Green has not only made the greatest R&B album of the year, but one of the best albums of the year, period.