A truly great musician understands the art of creative evolution. Take Jackie Wilson, for example. The R&B singer first found fame under Billy Ward and his Dominoes. Wilson had greater ambitions, however, and broke off to form a solo career in 1957.

One of his biggest hits - 1959's "You Better Know It" - draws on America's traditional jazz and R&B sound. Eight years later, Wilson released the more soulful and pop-friendly "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher'."

Both tracks helped maintain Wilson's fame, yet rely on completely different sounds. They're equally impressive. We've posted them in reverse chronological order: "Higher" is up above, "Know It" is down below.