Universally acknowledged as "The man who pioneered Soul Music", SAM?COOKE was arguably the most important and influential R&B singer of all time. This collection of classic?Cooke sides is drawn from EPs issued in the US, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, France and West Germany, between 1958 and 1962. It juxtaposes readily-identifiable hits, several of which were million sellers (e.g. 'You Send Me', 'Only Sixteen', 'Chain Gang', 'Twistin' The Night Away', 'Having A Party'/'Bring It On Home To Me') alongside some killer flipsides and selected album cuts, which include a number of Great?American Songbook-styled favourites. Cooke's mellifluously perfect voice was equally at home on Gospel, R&B, big beat, ballads and even mainstream Pop, all of which can be found on this set. Had he not been shot to death in December 1964, he would have gone on to become Soul Music's first global superstar