Michael McDonald looks like your typical white middle-aged guy that reminds you of someone's daddy but he does have one thing that throws that stereotype in the trash and that is his amazing powerful voice.   Growing up as an African American male it was rare that you'd hear any white recording artists on radio stations that my mom listened to,   like a WDAS in Philly but he always was one of those artists.   You'd hear things like: "he sings like he's black" or more appropriately: "he has soul".   This was especially true after his song with Patti LaBelle called "On My Own" , a lovely ballad about moving on with love still on the brain and in the heart.  

The former lead singer for the 70's super group, The Doobie Brothers, McDonald has continued to work on his solo projects and broke in the new century as an artist on Motown records. He recorded old Motown tracks over we all know well from being done by legends like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin on Motown and Motown Two albums and it has brought he back to the forefront of music after a hiatus.

Now for those who didn't catch his work new and fresh, Rhino has released The Ultimate Collection featuring tracks from his days with the Doobie Brothers to his latest work.   This 19 track LP also features collaborations with old school artists like James Ingram, Patti LaBelle and producers like Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Lenny Warkoner, Don Was, Bruce Swedien and more!

This is good album for those who appreciate the classics and you can do almost anything to this music.   Whether it be driving home, having a picnic or cleaning the house while singing with your favorite song!

I'll give the LP 4 Globes.

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