Personnel includes: Sam Cooke (vocals); Al Chernet, Everett Barksdale, Clitton White, Don Armone (guitar); Charles Libove, Fred Fradkin, Max Cahn, Hinda Barnet (violin); Armand Kaproff, Frederick Sevkors, Jesse Ehrlich (cello); John Kelsom, Plas Johnson, William Green, King Curtis, Tate Houston (saxophone); Joseph Wilder, Ray Copeland, Steve Lipkins, Lou Oles, John T. Grimes (trumpet); Frank Saracco, Laurence Allpeter, Albert Godis, Eddie Bert (trombone); Hank Jones, Ernie Hayes, Morris Wechsler, Ernest Freeman, Raymond Johnson (piano); Billy Preston, Hugo Peretti, Nathan Griffen (organ); Lloyd Trotman, Milton Hinton, George Catlender, James Bond, Ray Pohlman (bass); Bunny Shawker, Jimmie Crawford, David Francis, Bobby Donaldson, Earl Palmer (drums, percussion).

Compilation producer: Paul Williams.

Engineers include: Al Schmitt, Dave Hassinger, Bob Simpson.

Principally recorded at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California and live at the Harlem Square Club, Harlem, New York. Includes liner notes by Michael Hill.

Digitally remastered by Bill Lacey.

Although this collection's title makes a weighty claim, a tour through this rich box set makes it clear hear how Sam Cooke's fusion of gospel and pop laid the groundwork for such seminal soul artists as Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and more recently Prince and D'Angelo. This four-disc collection is divided by era and kicks off with Cooke's initial leap from gospel sensation to secular star.

Alongside hits like "You Send Me" and "Only Sixteen" are more obscure cuts like "Desire Me" and "You Were Made for Me" that find Cooke managing to make staid, Mitch Miller-like vocal arrangements swing. Singles and album cuts from the RCA years (1960 to 1963) make up Discs Two and Three. Highlights include well-known classics ("Chain Gang," "Cupid"), Nat "King" Cole influenced saloon songs ("Out in the Cold Again"), and the occasional chestnut with religious roots ("Bring It on Home to Me"). Disc Four showcases the albums NIGHT BEAT and LIVE AT THE HARLEM SQUARE CLUB. Throughout these discs, Sam Cooke effortlessly tackles various musical genres including blues ("Little Red Rooster"), rock & roll ("Shake, Rattle & Roll"), folk ("Frankie and Johnny"), and standards ("Summertime").