Album of the Day

One of the greatest architects of the New Orleans sound, Allen Toussaint spent more than a decade crafting hits for others before focusing on a solo career in the 1970s. LIFE, LOVE AND FAITH was the singer-songwriter-producer’s first for Reprise Records and its dozen originals offer a master class in R&B. “Victims of the Darkness,” “She Once Belonged to Me” and “On Your Way Down” are among the 1972 collection’s many highlights, with ace instrumentalists including members of The Meters helping out in the studio. Though Toussaint would earn even more acclaim with his next set, Allmusic calls LIFE, LOVE AND FAITH “the one album that truly exhibits how deep and wide his talents ran,” and it’s our pick to kick off Black Music Month.