We’re gonna get to that place where we really want to go

Say what you want about Phil Spector.

Crazed lunatic. Freak. Gun-wielding murderer.

All true.

But the man could make great records. We all know about the Wall of Sound classics:

"Be My Baby"
"Da Doo Ron Ron"
"River Deep – Mountain High"
"You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’"

All essential.

But here’s one that was a minor hit but is not as well remembered. But I will argue that it is the equal to all those above. And maybe even greater.

Sonny Charles and the Checkmates’ "Black Pearl," from 1969, is an ode to a woman from his sweetheart, at least on the surface. But it also stands as a spectacular anthem of black pride.

Obviously, due to racism and a lack of opportunities, a lot of black women were still seen then as being only qualified to be housekeepers and cooks and not capable of professional careers.

And Charles knows that while his woman is nothing special to look at (“You’ll never win a beauty show no they won’t pick you, but you’re Miss America, and I love you”), he also knows she is capable of so much more that her current lot in life.

Charles' impassioned vocal rises and falls with emotion, and Spector throws swelling strings around a drop-dead gorgeous melody.

"Black Pearl" is three minutes and 23 seconds of nearly-unrivaled beauty, and especially moving placed in the context of its time.

They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.