Includes liner notes by Sean Ross.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: Billy Preston (vocals, keyboards).

Liner Note Author: Sean Ross.

Singer/keyboardist Billy Preston started out as a teenage soul/jazz organ prodigy, subsequently became the "fifth Beatle," and evolved into one of the funkiest hitmakers of the 1970s. ULTIMATE COLLECTION lives up to its title, presenting Preston's R&B/pop chart-toppers under one roof. Brimming with pop hooks and infectious grooves, "Will It Go Round In Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" virtually define the sound of '70s pop radio, and the instrumentals "Space Race" and "Outta Space" show off Preston's famed keyboard chops, with unerringly funky clavinet and synthesizer work. Preston's composition "You Are So Beautiful," a gorgeous ballad made famous by Joe Cocker, is poignant and soulful when performed by its author, and a cover of the Beatles' "Blackbird" is a striking reinvention of the ballad. This anthology stands as the most comprehensive summary of Preston's talents as songwriter, singer, and musician.

Hip-O's Ultimate Collection may not have the original hit recording of "That's the Way God Planned It," due to licensing restrictions (it was recorded for the Beatles ill-fated label, Apple), but that's about the only thing missing from this near-definitive single-disc set. Over the course of 20 tracks, the collection chronicles every one of Preston's hits, from the funky "Outa-Space," "Slaughter," and "Will It Go Round in Circles" to the smooth, quiet storm soul of his duets with Syreeta ("With You I'm Born Again," "Go for It," "One More Time for Love"). Since it's quite a transition between the two extremes, fans of either side of the spectrum may not enjoy everything here, but it's nevertheless a nearly flawless collection, providing an accurate portrait of Preston's career. It is true that the lesser-known hits aren't as compelling as the smash singles, but this is still an entertaining collection, regardless. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine