#127 Ray Charles, 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' (1962)

After practically inventing Soul music, Ray Charles, a Southerner from Georgia, sought to explore another Southern genre, which was traditionally white; Country and Western. Following his success in the ‘50s with Soul (see #210), Charles managed to negotiate creative control on his records. When he announced his intention to record a Country record, he was derided by his peers and label execs, however on its release, the album became one of the best-selling albums by a black artist to date.