Jerry Williams, who released a series of seminal solo recordings under the moniker Swamp Dogg, produced and performed on some of the most important Southern Soul recordings of the ‘60s and ‘70s. His output combined the sturdy rhythmic backbone of the Muscle Shoals’ sound with the intensely personal lyrical content of politically progressive soul icons like Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, and he added an edge of experimental outrageousness that rivaled anything dreamed up by George Clinton. The fifth volume in Swamp Dogg’s comprehensive career retrospective The Excellent Sides of Swamp Dogg is also one of the most unusual. It contains a characteristically outstanding mid ‘70s album You Ain’t Never To Old To Boogie, but also an unreleased early ‘80s project that was intended to be Williams’ debut release for Mercury Records’ country subsidiary Mercury Nashville. Though much of Williams’ previous output had borne unmistakable country influences this record, billed here simply as Mercury Album, is country to the bone. Its considerable virtues shine through despite the presence of some glossy ‘80s production.