Mr. Everything

After Dionne Warwick, soul belter Chuck Jackson was arguably the premier interpreter of the indelible pop songs of composer Burt Bacharach — for Mr. Everything, Jackson lays claim to "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself," the Bacharach/David-penned ballad originated by balladeer Tommy Hunt and later popularized by blue-eyed soul goddess Dusty Springfield, and the results are devastating. Jackson's deeply poignant vocal eloquently articulates the slow-burning desperation of the song, proving yet again how effective the singer could be given the right material. Unfortunately, much of Mr. Everything consists of second-rate filler, although the rendition of the Gerry Goffin/Carole King collaboration "I Need You" is just as good as its pedigree would suggest. Equally noteworthy is "Something You've Got," the first in a series of exemplary duets pairing Jackson with Maxine Brown.