GENIUS LOVES COMPANY turned out to be Ray Charles' last album, and it's a gem. Listening to this series of duets with a dozen accomplished musicians, one can only imagine how exciting it must have been for these singers to work with the iconic and brilliant Ray Charles. The result is that almost every one of them rises to the occasion, in turn inspiring some great work from "the genius."

As on any compilation (especially one recorded and produced over a period of nine months by three different people) some songs work better than others. The sweet and charming opener, "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones, is one highlight. Other great moments include the gospel-infused "Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight, a soulful "Sinner's Prayer" with Billy Preston and B.B. King, and the grand finale -- a live recording of "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison and gospel-choir background vocals.

If there's a weakness here it's in the saccharine production of a couple of the songs and a couple of lackluster performances by Natalie Cole and Diana Krall; occasional frailty in the voice of a great singer at the end of his career. But young Wizard of OZ fans will get a kick out of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," sung with Johnny Mathis, despite the drippy string arrangement, and older kids will appreciate the varied, wonderful playing and singing on the sparser tunes. The whole project comes across with so much heart, soul, and love that the few weak moments are insignificant.

The enhanced CD includes a five-minute clip from a 1985 photo shoot, in which Ray philosophizes about music. If you don't have this album, you're missing some of the loveliest, most poignant moments in a great musical career.