Esther Phillips - Burnin' (Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper, L.A.)

Step into a smoky, dimly lit Los Angeles R&B club in 1970, take a seat, and brace yourself—Esther Phillips is at the mic, and she is absolutely on fire. Burnin' captures one of the most underrated vocalists in soul and jazz at the peak of her live powers, backed by a tight, incredibly funky rhythm section. Phillips infuses every single note with grit, sass, and a lifetime of blues, turning songs into emotional raw nerves. The Atlantic Records pressing puts you right in the room; the crowd noise, the punchy horns, and Esther’s biting delivery cut through the speakers with astonishing intimacy. It’s an absolute vocal tour de force.