Philly-born R&B singer-songwriter-undertaker Solomon Burke has been on a revival roll since 2002's Don't Give Up On Me. Nothing's Impossible marks his debut with late Memphis producer Willie Mitchell and the latter's final album — which would be just promo copy if the result wasn't so worthy of both men's legacies. Mitchell's arrangements recall his best work with Al Green, all glowing strings, supple horns and understated guitar licks. Burke, working a lower register than Green's, pushes his voice, here getting his hot gospel on, there teasing the words "love," "dream" and "screeeeeam" into microdramas. It's the beginning, and end, of a great partnership.

“Ambling Alp”

The "Ambling Alp" was the nickname of the six-and-a-half-foot-tall Primo Carnera. Though the song is named after the Italian-born 1930s heavyweight champion, Yeasayer are actually paying tribute to boxing legend Joe Louis with this first-person psychedelic dance-rock tune. “I was always interested in writing a song that had boxing mythology in it,” Yeasayer’s Chris Keating said. “It’s pretty fascinating: There were so many amazing characters, and it was so closely entwined with 20th century history.” Yeaseyer also invokes German champ Max Schmeling and hints at the historical significance placed on the historic bouts between the Nazi-era boxer and the African-American Louis.