At the start of the ’50s, Ray Charles was recording for Down Beat Records (which became Swing Time Records). This collection of highlights from that period show a young Charles still too much under the influence of Charles Brown and Nat “King” Cole. It’s a more urbane Charles, but one that had not yet incorporated the gospel fervor that made was central to his art. Unreleased provides insight into Charles’ development, and it’s a fair amount of fun on its own.