This 1966 album saw Jan and Dean tackling soul music, a genre far removed from their surf-rock roots, with mixed results. The album is notable for its ambitious, if not entirely successful, genre excursion.
- Filet of Soul was released in July 1966, following their string of Top 10 hits that began with "Surf City" in 1963. The album features covers of soul standards alongside original material penned by Jan Berry and Roger Christian. It was the duo's first album released on the Liberty Records subsidiary, Uni Records.
- The album features a notable cover of the Motown classic "Ain't That Ask" and R&B staple "Tossin' and Turnin'." While it charted at #127 on the Billboard 200, it was a commercial disappointment compared to their earlier work. The album was produced by Jan Berry and original member Don Altfeld.
- The songwriting for Filet of Soul relied heavily on the partnership of Jan Berry and Roger Christian, who had previously collaborated on many of their biggest hits. The album's stylistic departure marked a period of transition for the duo, as they struggled to maintain chart relevance in the evolving music landscape of the late 1960s. Despite its commercial performance, the album is appreciated by fans for its adventurous spirit and willingness to experiment.
Jan and Dean are an American pop-rock duo that rose to fame in the early 1960s with a string of hits penned by Brian Wilson and Jan Berry. They were key figures in the surf rock movement, though their sound evolved to incorporate elements of folk rock and sunshine pop. Filet of Soul found the duo exploring soul music influences.
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