Jerry Butler - Mr. Dream Merchant (1967)

Jerry Butler, affectionately known as *The Ice Man*, is one of soul music’s true pioneers. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, he began his musical journey singing in church, where he met a young Curtis Mayfield. Together they formed The Impressions and in 1958, Butler took lead vocals on the emotionally charged *For Your Precious Love*. Though the record was credited to "Jerry Butler and the Impressions", it marked the start of his solo career—amicably, with Mayfield continuing to write many of his early hits.

By 1966, Butler had transitioned from Vee Jay to Mercury Records, a move that would define his golden era. Among the gems from this period is his 1967 album *Mr. Dream Merchant*, part of a fertile run that also included *Soul Artistry*, *The Soul Goes On*, and *The Ice Man Cometh*.

*Mr. Dream Merchant* saw Butler team up with the then up-and-coming songwriting duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, whose Philadelphia sound would soon reshape soul music. While the album includes several cover songs—like *Alfie* and *Yesterday*—Butler’s rich baritone and emotive delivery give them new life. The title track, *Mr. Dream Merchant*, stands out as a lush, sophisticated soul ballad that hints at the Gamble & Huff brilliance to come.

Though the album was rushed out to build on the success of *Soul Artistry*, *Mr. Dream Merchant* remains a sumptuous listen—an elegant blend of classic soul and the smooth orchestration that would come to define Philly soul. It’s a vital piece of Jerry Butler’s Mercury legacy and a reminder of his enduring influence on generations of R&B artists.

Tracklist:
1-1 Jerry Butler - Mr. Dream Merchant [2:39]
1-2 Jerry Butler - (Nobody Ever Loved Anybody) The Way I Love You [2:58]
1-3 Jerry Butler - Mr. Dee Jay (I Got A Heartache) [2:55]
1-4 Jerry Butler - I Come To You [2:42]
1-5 Jerry Butler - When A Woman Loves A Man (When A Man Loves A Woman) [2:57]
1-6 Jerry Butler - Alfie [2:43]
1-7 Jerry Butler - Lost (Album Version) [2:41]
1-8 Jerry Butler - Beside You [3:03]
1-9 Jerry Butler - To Make A Big Man Cry [3:23]
1-10 Jerry Butler - 100 Lbs. Of Clay [2:47]
1-11 Jerry Butler - Yesterday [2:39]