Everyone knows him. The outrageous hair, the leg up on the piano, the volcanic sexuality of his wailing music—all are his enduring calling card. Little Richard is an icon of early rock 'n' roll.

Perhaps this is what makes these recordings, logged in 1996 and 1967, so special. The self-proclaimed architect of rock 'n' roll is saturated in soul.

"I Need Love" captures the energy so familiar to his fans, and is surely the signature tune on this collection. It's Screamin' Jay Hawkins meets Motown, proof positive that soul can still rock. And if there's ever been any doubt that rock has soul, "Never Gonna Let You Go" dispels it.

Richard's voice is rich and honestly emotive, capturing both the hurt and the hope that embody the blues. To hear him sing "Don't Deceive Me" is transcendant—you may never want to hear "Tutti Frutti" again.

There's still the familiar sounds of "Land of a Thousand Dances" and "Rocking Chair", but the fat grooves of "Money" and "Function at the Junction" are the prime movers here. The instrumentation, featuring the elastic bass of Eddie Fletcher and the you-know-what of Johnny "Guitar" Watson, sets an unmistakably mid-60s tone for the record, and tunes like "A Little Bit of Something (Beats a Whole Lot of Nothing)" really shine because of it.

Whether this is your first experience with the soulful side of Little Richard or just an opportunity to capture 17 great tracks on a single collection, you best Get Down With It right away. This is an album to treasure.