Little Milton - 'We're Gonna Make It' (2026 Acoustic Sounds Remaster)

'We're Gonna Make It' was recorded at Chess Ter-Mar Studios in Chicago in late 1964 and early 1965.  It was produced by Billy Davis, Leonard Chess, and Phil Chess, it was engineered by Ron Malo, the legendary Chess staff recording engineer responsible for capturing the distinct, "IN-YOUR-FACE" studio sound of the era.  The album was released on May 19, 1965, on the Chess Records subsidiary Checker Records.

The album is a masterpiece of the 1960s blues-soul crossover era.  Unlike many mid-1960s R&B and soul albums that were hastily compiled around a single hit, 'We’re Gonna Make It' stands out as unusually coherent and cohesive for its time.  Milton's voice is a remarkable blend of gospel intensity and fluid phrasing, seamlessly bridging the styles of B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland.

The title track, "We’re Gonna Make It" achieved massive success, spending three consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard R&B Singles chart.  It also made a significant impact on the mainstream music scene, reaching the impressive #22 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.  Remarkably, this became the sole Top 40 pop hit of Little Milton’s illustrious career.  The song’s powerful themes of overcoming adversity and maintaining resilience in the face of hardship resonated deeply with listeners, solidifying its status as an influential anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.


Another highlight is Phil Wright's jazz-infused horn arrangements that are a polished contrast to Milton’s sharp, piercing electric guitar lines moving Milton away from raw Delta blues into a more sophisticated sound.

The Players
Little Milton on vocals and guitar
Leonard Caston on piano
Roosevelt Williams on bass
Robert Crowder on baritone saxophone
Ira Gatesn on drums
David Hines on trumpet
Joe Campbell on trumpet
James Carter on tenor saxophone

The freeload is 24-bit/192 kHz (180-gram) vinyl rip of the Chess Acoustic Sounds Series, released on August 21, 2026.  This is a fantastic addition to the 2026 Acoustic Sounds reissues.  Kevin Gray’s mastering is exceptional, creating a spacious and remarkably natural soundstage with excellent depth and separation.  This particular release may be the best of the series so far.

For the freeload, what are some of your favorite 1960s Soul/R&B singles?