Tangerine Records continues its carefully curated return to the catalog of Ray Charles with a focused reissue campaign highlighting several of the most influential albums of his career. Centered on Ray’s groundbreaking country & western recordings, these titles have been newly mastered at Osiris Studio by Michael Graves, with vinyl lacquers cut by Jeff Powell.
These albums are not only cornerstones of Ray Charles’ discography—they are foundational American recordings that permanently reshaped genre boundaries and audience expectations. Mastering this material today requires a historically informed approach, balancing respect for the original recordings with clarity, cohesion, and reliable translation to modern digital and vinyl formats.
The 2024 Tangerine Records Releases
Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, Volume 1
Originally released in 1962, Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music is widely regarded as one of the most important albums in American music history. Ray Charles’ reimagining of country repertoire—paired with expansive orchestration and his unmistakable vocal authority—helped dismantle racial and stylistic divisions in popular music. The 2024 Tangerine Records reissue returned the album to vinyl, CD, and digital formats with newly prepared masters.
Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, Volume 2
Issued alongside Volume 1, Modern Sounds, Volume 2 expands on the original concept with equal confidence and emotional depth. Mastering focused on maintaining tonal continuity and dynamic consistency so both volumes function as a unified artistic statement.
Country And Western Meets Rhythm And Blues
Originally released in 1965, Country And Western Meets Rhythm And Blues captures Ray Charles at the height of his genre-blending confidence. Building on the Modern Sounds framework, the album further integrates country songwriting with R&B phrasing, rhythm, and arrangement. The 2024 reissue restores dimensionality and presence while preserving the warmth and immediacy of the original recordings.
Crying Time
Ray Charles’ 1966 album Crying Time represents a more intimate chapter in his country-focused work. Long out of print in several formats, this reissue restores the album with renewed focus, honoring its subtle dynamics, emotional restraint, and vocal nuance.
Best Of Country & Western
Serving as an accessible entry point into Ray Charles’ country & western recordings, this compilation draws from key performances across the era. Mastered with the same care as the full-length albums, the collection emphasizes musical flow and cohesion rather than a purely retrospective presentation.
Osiris Studio is honored to contribute to the ongoing preservation and presentation of Ray Charles’ recorded legacy, supporting Tangerine Records’ efforts to keep these essential albums available in the highest possible fidelity.