| American Soul Man | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Wilson Pickett |
| Cover: | American Soul Man.jpg |
| Released: | 1987 |
| Genre: | Soul |
| Label: | Motown |
| Producer: | Robert Margouleff |
| Prev Title: | Right Track |
| Prev Year: | 1981 |
| Next Title: | A Man and a Half: The Best of Wilson Pickett |
| Next Year: | 1992 |
American Soul Man is an album by the American musician Wilson Pickett, released in 1987.[1] [2] "Don't Turn Away" was released as a single. The album was a commercial disappointment, in part due to MCA Records' acquisition of Motown.[3]
The album peaked at No. 75 on Billboards Top Black Albums chart.[4] "In the Midnight Hour" was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male".[5]
Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Robert Margouleff.[6] [7] Pickett used synthesizers on the majority of the tracks. Gary Myrick played guitar on the album.[8] "In the Midnight Hour" is a remake of Pickett's biggest hit. "A Man of Value" incorporates elements of gospel music.[9]
The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Neither an exercise in nostalgia nor a pointless attempt to be trendy, this new album is classic American soul performed by one of its finest artists."[10] The Washington Post determined that "now that Motown's got him, you'd expect the emphasis to be on production, so there's no surprise to find the synthesizers and electronic drums... What is a surprise, however, is how easily Pickett adapts to the setting."[11] The Kingston Whig-Standard noted that, "although Pickett can grind out a dance song as sexily as anyone, no one can be more passionate on a ballad."[12] The Cincinnati Post deemed "Just Let Her Know" "a funky bit of soulful stroll."[13] The Edmonton Journal praised Pickett's "emotionally-charged and powerful voice."[14]