Yes, I'm Ready (1965)

A landmark of the early years of the Philly soul scene, Barbara Mason’s 1965 debut Yes, I’m Ready documents a time before the rise of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s hit making Philly International label, when the city was dominated by a patchwork of small labels, each boasting their own distinct sound. Arctic Records was owned by Philadelphia radio personality Jimmy Bishop, and Barbara Mason was the label’s first major star. Her self-penned hit “Yes, I’m Ready”, was an aching string drenched ballad that would define the sound of the Arctic Records’ future releases, and that would become a slow dance staple for decades to come. Though Yes, I’m Ready is unquestionably built around its breathtaking title track, the album maintains a remarkably consistent sound throughout and contains a number of standouts, most notably the Smokey Robinson-influenced “Sad, Sad Girl,”, and the gut-bucket R&B of “Something You Got,” a reworking of a New Orleans classic that finds the usually reserved Mason belting with the conviction of a hardened barrelhouse queen.