New Record Reviews Thread

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

FOUR TOPS
Second Album (Motown 65)
This is obviously the Four Tops??? second album for Motown. It contains some of their biggest hits including I Can???t Help Myself and It???s The Same Old Song. There are some less known, but still good Motown tracks like Love Feels Like Fire, Is There Anything That I Can Do, and Something About You Baby. If you want a good early sampling of the Four Tops??? repertoire than this would be a good starting point.

CANDI STATON
I???m Just A Prisoner (Fame 69)
Candi Staton was an Alabama girl who got her start with a Gospel group with whom she recorded her first material. She later went solo and secular recording at the famous Fame Studios that led her to be named one of the leading ladies of Southern Soul. I???m Just A Prisoner was her first release with this new career. Her strong vocals and Southern feel are present throughout with cuts like the hard hitting I???d Rather Be An Old Man???s Sweetheart where she talks about how she???d rather be with an old man that appreciated her than be played with by a young one, Do Your Duty, the slow and powerful Evidence, Sweet Feeling, and Another Man???s Woman, Another Woman???s Man, and the grooving I???m Just A Prisoner and Get It When I Want It. This is definitely a great piece of Southern home cooking.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

Honey Baby OST (RCA 75)
Michael Tschudin wrote most of the material on the Honey Baby soundtrack. The reason I got it however is because Weldon Irvine performed on many of them. The two songs that stand out are Honey Baby Theme (Instrumental) with Irvine on the clavinet, and the lightly funky instrumental Nowhere that features Nat Adderley. The rest is kind of forgettable soundtrack cuts.

HOT CHOCOLATE
Cicero Park (Big Tree 73)
Most of the songs on Cicero Park have a dark and moody feel to them. That???s heard immediately on Cicero Park and Could Have Been Born In The Ghetto (Theme from Love Head) that feature some percussion, but stripped down rhythms. The latter also begins and ends with a nice and slow drum break. On You???re A Natural High they switch it up a bit adding some strings and orchestration countered by the guitar to form a nice light Funk tune about a hot woman. Otherwise the record is a bit uninspired.

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Keep Your Soul Together (CTI 73)
Keep Your Soul Together has a very mellow vibe to it. The four songs are divided between the slow Jazz of Brigitte and the Bop of Spirit of Trane, and the Soul-Jazz of the title track that gets a bit meandering and the best cut, Destiny???s Children. That makes the album an OK, but not great record by Hubbard. There are others that are much better.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

OTIS CLAY
Woman Don???t Live Here No More/You Can???t Escape The Hands Of Love (Hi 74)
Otis Clay released a series of singles on Hi Records and I think this is one of the best ones. First up is the slow groove of Woman Don???t Live Here No More with a strong rhythm and horn accents leading into Clay???s soulful vocals. In the background are those trade mark Hi strings that add a bit of moodiness. You Can???t Escape The Hands Of Love is a more upbeat southern Soul tune again featuring Clay???s strong singing.

LP REVIEWS:

RUBY ANDREWS
Black Ruby (Zodiac)
It???s always nice to find a long time want right when you walk into a store. Such was the case on a trip to Chicago when I came across Ruby Andrews??? Black Ruby. The album is a fine blend of Funk and Soul. That???s heard on tracks like (I Want To Be) Whatever It Takes To Please You with a funky guitar line, a nice female chorus, and a soulful bridge with strings. Overdose Of Love, Don???t I Fool You? You Ole Boo Boo You and My Love Is Comin Down are in a similar vein, while The Love I Need is an RnB ballad throwback. Ruby also delivers Good N Plenty, a catchy Soul cut, and a funked out cover of Hound Dog. The record also contains the grooving hit You Made A Believer Out Of Me.

CHAMBERS BROTHERS
Now! (Vault 66)
Now! was one of the Chambers Brothers??? earliest LPs. It???s a live album when their repertoire mostly consisted of covers such as High Heel Sneakers and What???d I Say. Out of those a slowed down version of Baby Please Don???t Go that shows off their vocals stands out. I prefer their later releases much more.

SHADES OF BROWN
S.O.B. (Cadet 70)
Shades of Brown were a four-piece vocal Soul outfit from Chicago. A lot of people know about them because of a drum break, but that really completely ignores their talents. For some reason they tried to pull off some really fast paced numbers like Lite Y???all Up that don???t match their singing very well at all. The slow sweet Soul tunes of Lie #2 and Little Girl are much better. The up-tempo He Didn???t Leave Me A Name is also a nice listen. The drum break comes on The Soil I Tilled For You and it???s nothing special.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Liquid Love (CBS 75)
For whatever reason, Liquid Love is one of the few Freddie Hubbard LPs that I don???t see that much. That???s probably why I bought it a couple years ago. The opening Midnight At The Oasis fluctuates between some nice funky Soul-Jazz and a more commercial light-Jazz sound that you would expect from someone like Bob James. Better are the funky Fusion cuts Put It In The Pocket and the laid back Lost Dreams. There???s also a fast paced drum break towards the end of the latter track, and a percussion break in the Afro-Latin Jazz of Kuntu.

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Polar AC (CTI 75)
Freddie Hubbard recorded Polar AC with the full cast of New York City studio musicians including Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Lennie White, George Benson, Hubert Laws, Airto and others. Rather than go Fusion, Hubbard was mostly stickling to a mellow Jazz vibe at the time. That???s heard on the opening title track that could be played at any lounge USA. Most of the record follows in a similar mold with the one exception being a great cover of People Make The World Go Round. It has a haunting and abstract little beginning before the bass pierces through the mist and lays down that very familiar rhythm that everyone knows and loves. It???s worth the price of admission, and the record can usually be found for pretty cheap anyways.

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Red Clay (CTI 70)
Red Clay was recorded with Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Lennie White. The title cut starts off on the Bop side before the bass comes in to add a bit of Soul for the album???s most well known tune with its melodic horn play and grooving rhythm. There???s a nice solo on the keys, and a bass and drum breakdown in the middle as well. Delphia is a laid back melodic Jazz number with the hint of the Blues. Suite Sioux has a similar sound, while The Intrepid Fox leans more towards Bop.

 

[Junior]

LP REVIEWS:

CHAMBERS BROTHES
Time Has Come (Columbia 67)
Time Has Come features the Chambers Brothers??? eclectic mix of styles. There are some good Soul tunes such as All Strung Out Over You that has a little church feel to it with the clapping and rough singing, I Can???t Stand It with its high pitched back-up vocals, a decent cover of In The Midnight Hour, and Uptown who???s swing reminds me a bit of Funky Broadway. Romeo And Juliet is a slower R&B tune. The two most outstanding cuts are a near perfect cover of People Get Read, which I cannot get enough of, and their big hit, the Soul-Rock number Time Has Come Today with the cowbell that turns into a huge jam session about a quarter of a way in.

:Latepass:

Thanks as always Motown.

Having started playing this record again recently I've come to the conclusion that Time Has Come Today is probably one of my favourite songs ever, of any genre, period.

Apart from the greatness of People Get Ready, the track So Tired off that album is hauntingly beautiful as well. What with that and When The Evening Comes off The New Generation I think the Chambers Brothers way with a ballad is often overlooked in the excitement over their heavier numbers.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

CHAMBERS BROTHES
Time Has Come (Columbia 67)
Time Has Come features the Chambers Brothers??? eclectic mix of styles. There are some good Soul tunes such as All Strung Out Over You that has a little church feel to it with the clapping and rough singing, I Can???t Stand It with its high pitched back-up vocals, a decent cover of In The Midnight Hour, and Uptown who???s swing reminds me a bit of Funky Broadway. Romeo And Juliet is a slower R&B tune. The two most outstanding cuts are a near perfect cover of People Get Read, which I cannot get enough of, and their big hit, the Soul-Rock number Time Has Come Today with the cowbell that turns into a huge jam session about a quarter of a way in.

:Latepass:

Thanks as always Motown.

Having started playing this record again recently I've come to the conclusion that Time Has Come Today is probably one of my favourite songs ever, of any genre, period.

Apart from the greatness of People Get Ready, the track So Tired off that album is hauntingly beautiful as well. What with that and When The Evening Comes off The New Generation I think the Chambers Brothers way with a ballad is often overlooked in the excitement over their heavier numbers.
Fully agreed. Love their slow Soul tunes. They had really strong harmonies. Their cover of Wish It Would Rain is also good.

I get a real latepass because I didn't buy up their records until this summer. It was just a group that I knew about, and liked their music, but never took the time to actually guy their records. I guess it was one of those times when you see their stuff so much, it's so common, you just pass on it thinking you can always get it later. Well, I finally woke up and got almost all of their releases now.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

DELLS
Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation (Cadet 73)
The Dells were one of Chicago???s top vocal outfits. They start the LP off with the title track that has a fake concert intro and a little spoken word before the singing begins. The song itself is a good example of the Dell???s style with the lead singers??? deep voice and some orchestration carrying it along. That???s followed by a fine rendition of Ain???t No Sunshine. There???s also the ballad You Don???t Care, the lush Love Can Make It Easier, and the slow jam Stand Up And Show The World

FOUR TOPS
Four Tops (Motown 64)
The Four Tops sel-titled LP was their first for Motown. It has some of their biggest hits like Baby, I Need Your Loving, Without The One You Love, and Just Ask The Lonely. If that weren???t enough, non hits like Don???t Turn Away are also good.

FOUR TOPS
Still Waters Run Deep (Motown 70)
Still Waters Run Deep was one of the Four Tops??? later records for the Motown label. They start off with the laid back Still Water (Love) that has a nice groove to it. A re-arranged cover of Reflections with little hints of Psych and Funk follows. Unfortunately, after that nice start the song quality falls off dramatically.

LEON HAYWOOD
It???s Got To Be Mellow (Decca 67)
A cover of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy starts off It???s Got To Be Mellow. The song is anything but like the album title as it has a nice little organ kick to push it along. I Can???t Stop Loving You starts off as a slow ballad, but then picks up pace and turns out to be as much of a groover as Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. Haywood also gets down with the instrumental Ode To Billy Joe ??? Part I and II. Part II has a nice breakdown with a Soul clap.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Sky Dive (CTI 72)
Sky Dive is another one hit wonder for Freddie Hubbard during his CTI years. That comes in the form of the opening Povo that has a spacy beginning with some spoken words and percussion. Ron Carter brings the tune out of the atmosphere with a funky bass line that many will recognize as a Black Sheep sample. After that fine start you have two Bop tunes, In A Mist and The Godfather. The title track finishes things off as a nice mellow and melodic Jazz number.

FREDDIE HUBBARD
Straight Life (CTI 70)
Straight Life collected together the usual contingent of studio musicians to record with Freddie Hubbard. Those included George Benson, Jack DeJohnette, Weldon Irvine, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, and Richie Landrum. The LP contains just three tracks. First is the title cut that takes up the entire first side. It???s a light mix of Jazz and Soul at first before branching out into a more Bop oriented sound during the solos. Next is the slow and groovy Soul-Jazz of the title track that features a nice solo by Hancock and Weldon Irvine getting down on the tambourine of all things. Last is Here???s That Rainy Day, which is a mellow ballad.

PAUL HUMPHREY
America, Wake Up (Blue Thumb 73)
America, Wake Up has a fine beginning with the title track that has a Funk-Blues feel to it as Humphrey goes about naming the various players that he recorded with. That goes directly into the light and catchy instrumental Uncle Willie???s Dream that many will recognize as a Tribe Called Quest sample. That sets the stage for many of the following cuts that are in the same mold. Unfortunately, most of those come off sounding like shopping music or have too much of a commercial sound to them. That???s Deep does stand out a bit, and sounds like the Crusaders. That might be due to the fact that some of the Crusaders appeared on the record.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

FOUR TOPS
Soul Spin (Motown 69)
Soul Spin suffers from a split personality. The first side is flawless Soul even though there isn???t a single hit amongst the tracks. The second side on the other hand, is aimed at the cabaret scene that Barry Gordy always had a hard on for with mostly Pop covers that have big band arrangements. The first side though is amazingly consistent from start to finish with the mood and tone it sets beginning with Look Out Your Window to Barbara???s Boy to Lost In A Pool Of Red to Stop This World. The big band backing appears on this side, but works successfully on Got To Get You Into My Life. The flip contains versions of This Guy???s In Love With You and Light My Fire. The only tune that stands out there is California Dreamin that ends the entire LP.

BARBARA LEWIS
Workin On A Groovy Thing (Atlantic 68)
Barbara Lewis was a hit crossover Soul-Pop success in the 1960s. She was born and started her career in Michigan, but really broke through when she moved to New York City and started working with Jerry Wexler who added some orchestration behind her. That???s the sound you find on Workin On A Groovy Thing. Where she puts all those elements together is on I???ll Keep Believin with plenty of strings and some subtle horns. The rest tend to be lighter numbers but still good such as Workin On A Groovy Thing, I Remember The Feeling, and Make Me Belong To You. The best track might be Sho-Nuff with an uplifting feel and a stripped down Soul rhythm.

SMOKEY ROBINSON
Smokey???s Family Robinson (Tamla 76)
Smokey Robinson lays down some lush, sensual, and slick Soul on this LP. There???s Get Out Of Town and So In Love, the funky slow jam Do Like I Do, and the ever so slow Castles Made Of Sand. A good listen when you want to just sit back and relax.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

PAUL HUMPHREY
Cool Aid (Lizard 69)
This was the first Paul Humphrey record that I ever bought. The single from this record seems to be everywhere and for a very cheap price, and that led me to the full-length album. I think it???s by far his best recording. He starts off with Cool Aid that has a nice laid back groove to it led by the bass playing of Bill Upchurch. Other good originals are the slow groove of Baby Rice with another prominent bass line and some fuzz guitar, Detroit, which is the single from the record with its interplay between the rhythm section and Humphrey???s drums at the beginning. Humphrey also does a series of covers with the best being Them Changes that captures the flare of the original, plus Music Talk with a series of drum breaks, and Dreams with more fuzz guitar by David T. Walker. Some might also enjoy Funky L.A. that features singing about all the groups in the City of Angeles.

WILLIE HUTCH
Foxy Brown OST (Motown 74)
Foxy Brown starred one of the sexiest women to ever grace the big screen, Pam Grier. The soundtrack was recorded and arranged by Willie Hutch and contains some nice blaxploitation type tunes. First there???s the percussion heavy Chase with wah wah guitar and Theme From Foxy Brown with Hutch???s singing. That and the next three tunes all flow seamlessly into each other until arriving at the funky Soul of Give Me Some Of That Good Old Love. Out There is in the same mood. Have you Ever Asked Yourself Why (All About Money Game) and Ain???t That (Mellow, Mellow) are some nice Soul sides to finish things off.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

FOUR TOPS
Nature Planned It (Motown 72)
The Four Tops lay down some very solid Soul on this LP. There???s the laid back groove of (It???s The Way) Nature Planned It and She???s An Understanding Woman, the more upbeat I???ll Never Change and I Can???t Quit Your Love. The medley Hey Man and We Got To Get You A Woman that has a little Latin flare to it and some percussion that reminds me of Jimmy Castor, especially because they talk about Leroy, which was a famous Castor single. There???s also the melodic If You Let Me and Happy (Is A Bumpy Road). The record shows that even as the Four Tops??? time with Motown was waning in the 1970s, they were still able to release quality music.

MILLIE JACKSON
I Got To Try It One More Time (Spring 74)
This was Millie Jackson???s third album. It was recorded partially in New York City and partially at the Muscle Shoals Studios in the South. You can hear that southern influence in slow tunes such as the title track and Get Your Love Right that are just oozing with Soul. There???s also the uplifting How Do You Feel The Morning After and the moodier I Got To Try It One Time, plus the funky My Love Is So Fly with a nice break sequence in the middle.

DOROTHY MORRISON
Brand New Day (Buddah 70)
This record is right up my alley. It???s full of heart felt and soulful tunes led by Dorothy Morrison???s fine vocals. She actually got her start singing pop tunes, but on Brand New Day she???s doing Gospel and very effectively. Besides her own lead, a strong female chorus backs her up and pushes the tunes along. That???s heard on tracks like Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll), Fire And Rain, The Border Song, Brand New Day, Peace Brother Peace, Can You Believe, and Get High On Jesus. There???s also the great grooving Soul tune Top Of The Mountain, the uplifting Black California, and a good cover of Spirit In The Sky.


OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

WILLIE HUTCH
The Mack OST (Motown 73)
The movie The Mack will always have a special place in my heart because it???s about a pimp in Oakland, CA. I???ve had students tell me stories about people that were supposedly the basis for characters in the story. I don???t know whether those tales are true, but it shows how the movie made an impact on the city. The soundtrack was written by Willie Hutch and features some very nice moments. That begins with the instrumental Vampin that has some strong horns and percussion. Theme Of The Mack starts off moody before turning into a fast pace Dance track with Hutch eventually adding some vocals follows that. I Choose You has a nice uplifting feel to it thanks to the female back-up singers, while Slick has a nice smooth Soul sound. Finally there???s Brothers??? Gonna Work It Out that starts off with a bit of dialogue from the movie about how the community needs to clean itself up so that it could make real progress before it eventually turns into another good Soul piece with Hutch???s singing.

BOBBY HUTCHERSON
Natural Illusion (Blue Note 72)
Most of Natural Illusion is some very mellow and atmospheric Jazz featuring plenty of strings and Hutcherson???s play on the vibes such as When You???re Near. In the middle of all that comes Rain Every Thursday with its drum break intro and grooving Soul-Jazz sound. Other than that, this is a pretty underwhelming LP.

BOBBY HUTCHERSON
San Francisco (Blue Note 71)
San Francisco opens up with the grooving A Night In Barcelona written by featured player Harold Land on the sax. The bass playing of John Williams drives the song along. Next is the atmospheric Goin Down South that again features Williams??? bass. Some might also like Ummh that is also in the Soul-Jazz mode. The rest is light Jazz.

 

[33thirdcom]

LP REVIEWS:

FOUR TOPS
Soul Spin (Motown 69)
Soul Spin suffers from a split personality. The first side is flawless Soul even though there isn???t a single hit amongst the tracks. The second side on the other hand, is aimed at the cabaret scene that Barry Gordy always had a hard on for with mostly Pop covers that have big band arrangements. The first side though is amazingly consistent from start to finish with the mood and tone it sets beginning with Look Out Your Window to Barbara???s Boy to Lost In A Pool Of Red to Stop This World. The big band backing appears on this side, but works successfully on Got To Get You Into My Life. The flip contains versions of This Guy???s In Love With You and Light My Fire. The only tune that stands out there is California Dreamin that ends the entire LP.

This is an excellent review of thi album, rght on point... Good look on the Touch 45, We came up on a few of those the A and B sides are

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

ETTA JAMES
Funk (Cadet 69)
Today Etta James mostly plays on the Blues circuit, but she got started as one of the best Soul singers out of Chicago. Funk is from a session she did in Hollywood. The mix of Soul and Funk is apparent throughout with tunes like Tighten Up Your Own Thing that has a Soul base, but some funky elements added to it such as the guitar work. Even catchier is the Funk of Quick Reaction & Satisfaction. On the other hand, there???s some fine soulful moments such as the power ballads Sweet Memories and Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing. The best tune might be The Man I Love that builds in intensity, perfectly matching James??? outstanding vocals. There???s also Sound Of Love that has some nice orchestration especially with some pounding drums in the background.

SMOKEY ROBINSON
Pure Smokey (Tamla 74)
Pure Smokey gets off to a nice start with the laid back, yet funky It???s Her Turn To Live. Even better is Virgin Man that sounds like nothing I???ve heard Smokey put together with its sly funkiness. Most of the record however, is in that silky smooth style that Smokey was famous for such as The Love Between Me And My Kids, Asleep On My Love, I Am I Am, and She???s Only A Baby Herself.

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
A Pocket Full Of Soul (Tamla 69)
I am really into Soul records right now and still trying to track down titles from my namesake, Motown, so I was all too happy to pick up A Pocket Full Of Soul. Smokey and company doesn???t let me down with the funky Flower Girl that has an edge to it that I rarely associate with the group. Robinson surprises me again with the slow Who???s Gonna Take The Blame about a childhood girl friend who ran into trouble and ended up being a prostitute. You don???t usually expect that kind of serious content on a Motown record. The mood of the record continues with the mid-tempo Darling Dear, You???ve Got The Love I Need, and Wishful Thinking. There???s also a slowed down version of Get Ready that sounds like a take off of Cream, a silky rendition of Something/Something You Got, and the dance tune Backfire.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Check Out Your Mind (Curtom 70)
Check Out Your Mind was the last record Curtis Mayfield recorded with the Impressions. It???s a great final testament to their work together with a nearly flawless combination of Soul tunes with a little Funk thrown in. There???s the funky Soul of Check Out Your Mind with some strings hovering in the back, Do You Wanna Win, (Baby) Turn On To Me and Madam Mary, the sweet ballads Can???t You See and You???ll Always Be Mine, the groovy You???re Really Something Sadie with percussion and We Must Be In Love, and the uplifting Only You with more orchestration. This really is a perfect Soul album, by one of my all time favorite Soul acts.

IMPRESSIONS
Impressions (EMUS)
This self-titled LP is a compilation of the Impressions??? greatest hits on Emus. I know nothing about the label, but assume it was a budget label out of New York City. Despite that, it???s a fine collection of some of the Impressions??? best work beginning with Gypsy Woman to It???s All Right to I???m So Proud, to the uplifting Keep On Pushing, We???re A Winner, and People Get Ready, as well as the Gospel of Amen, the upbeat You Must Believe Me, and the less well known I Can???t Stay Away From You. All in all the record shows how truly great the Impressions were, not only because of their vocalizing, but in their song selection as well.

 

[motown67]

On a big Soul tip right now and tracking down Motown records that I'd always passed up with a passion. Enjoy.

LP REVIEWS:

FOUR TOPS
On Top (Motown 66)
On Top was the Four Tops??? third album. They were putting out quality Motown tracks from beginning to end like the dance tune I Got A Feeling, and their big hits Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever and Shake Me, Wake Me (When It???s Over). After that great side you would think that the group could do no wrong. Think again. The second side is Big Band and heavily orchestrated numbers like Matchmaker that had to be pushed by Barry Gordy to appeal to white lounge clubs that he always loved. That was the biggest drawback of many early Motown albums. Those types of cabaret songs take up almost the entire second side.

SMOKEY ROBINSON
Smokey (Motown 73)
Smokey was a joint production between Robinson and Willie Hutch. They get right down to business with a medley of Never My Love/Never Can Say Goodbye that starts off with just some organ and Smokey???s singing before going into Never Can Say Goodbye with some light percussion in the background. Just My Soul Responding has some great strings at the beginning that sets the head-nodding beat of the song, although there is a cheesy Native American take-off in the middle that they could???ve done without. They redeem themselves with the slow jam Sweet Harmony. There???s also the upbeat Wanna Know My Mind, and some more slow jams on the second side worth listening to.

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
Time Out (Tamla 69)
Time Out is a fitting title for this record. Smokey and the Miracles start with Doggone Right and Baby, Baby Don???t Cry that have a nice warm feeling to them. After that fine beginning however, the record takes a literal time out. It???s not that the following songs are bad, it???s just that none of them really stand out, which is a shame, because you always expect Smokey to come through with the goods as he was one of the leading songwriters at Motown.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Fabulous Impressions (ABC 67)
The Fabulous Impressions was arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate. The album wasn???t a big hit for the group, but there are some fine Soul cuts as you would expect from a group like the Impressions. It opens up with You Always Hurt Me that has some percussion and a sharp organ sound to it, before the upbeat Dance rhythm kicks in with Curtis singing lead. There are also the slow grooves It???s All Over, I Can???t Stay Away From You, and I???m Still Waitin, and the more upbeat Love???s A Comin and Aware of Love. Things are finished off with She Don???t Love Me that has a little Funk twist to it.

IMPRESSIONS
Finally Got Myself Together (Curtom 74)
I love the cover of this LP. On the front it???s got the Impressions with their new line-up featuring Sam Gooden, Fred Cash, Reggie Torian and Ralph Johnson sitting on a boarded up street with a Bible rescue Mission down the street looking like bums and junkies, and then on the back, they???ve got a Rolls, fine clothes and ladies decked out in furs. The music is just as good with tracks like the funky Soul of If It???s In You To Do Wrong that starts off with some nice open drums followed by plenty of wah wah guitar, strings and horns, that all suddenly mellows out when the vocals come in. Don???t Forget What I Told You is more hard hitting from beginning to end. There???s also the down home feel of the title track and Try Me, the smooth Soul of We Go Back A Ways and Guess What I Got.

IMPRESSIONS
First Impressions (Curtom 75)
Even by 1975 the Impressions were still sticking to what got them their initial success. That was recording quality Soul. That???s all apparent on First Impressions with the laid back groove of Same Thing it Took, I???m So Glad and How High Is High, contrasted with a little slow funk on Old Before My Time, and the smoothed out Soul of Sooner Or Later and Groove. They finish off the record strong with the sweet Soul of Why Must A Love Song Be A Sad Song with some wah wah guitar tempered by strings.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

SHACK
A Love Affair That Bears No Pain/Too Many Lovers (Volt 70)
A Love Affair is a nice slow jam. The real prize on this 45 is Too Many Lovers. It???s a nice upbeat Soul tune with a bouncing beat.

LP REVIEWS:

TYRONE DAVIS
Turn Back The Hands Of Time (Dakar 70)
Tyrone Davis was one of the many great Soul singers to come out of Chicago. He had a long career too making hits from the 1960s to the 1980s. Turn Back The Hands Of Time, was one of those. It???s got a light and uplifting mood to it with Davis backed up by some female singers on the chorus and strings lightly in the background. That song is only the beginning to this quality Soul LP. The Waiting Was Not In Vain has the same feel to it with a big horn intro, while Let Me Back In has a little slower groove to it. There???s also Love Bones that is a little harder hitting. Something You Got is basically a take off of the title cut, but the laidback Just Because Of You is worth a listen as well. Overall, this is a really good Soul album.

LITTLE RICHARD
Second Coming (Reprise 72)
Second Coming was Little Richard???s third album on Reprise that tried to update his sound. He starts off with Mockingbird Sally that was obviously a take off of his earlier hit Long Tall Sally, and sticks to the basic chord progressions of a Rock N Roll tune. The new style comes across on Second Line that has a funky backing with Richard basically talking over the top, but the two don???t really mesh well together. He tries to do the same on Prophet Of Peace, but the result is about the same. Better is It Ain???t What You Do, It???s The Way How You Do It that has an almost Country twang to it, but is really catchy in an unassuming way. Where Richard is really able to put things together is the instrumental Nuki Suki. Richard???s King Of Rock And Roll or Rill Thing are a much better record to find if you???re interested in this period of his career.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Keep On Pushing (ABC-Paramount 64)
Throughout their career, from the 1960s up the 1970s, the Impressions could do no wrong. Keep On Pushing is one of their all time classics for the title track alone. The song features the group???s great vocals and a truly inspirational feel to it. That???s followed by the slow groove of I???ve Been Trying with Curtis??? falsetto out in front. I Made A Mistake, which closes the album is in the same vein. There???s also the Gospel of Amen. Those songs alone could make an album worthwhile, but that???s not all they have to offer. There???s the light Soul of Talking About My Baby, the more Pop oriented I Ain???t Supposed To, the sweeping Soul of Dedicate My Song To You, Long, Long Winter, I Thank Heaven, and Don???t Let It Hide.

IMPRESSIONS
Loving Power (Curtom 76)
By 1976 the Impressions were finally struggling to put together a quality set of songs. On Loving Power, they still come through on a couple tracks. First there???s the lush Soul of the title track with a slow and steady pace that sounds a bit like Earth, Wind & Fire, especially with the group vocals. There???s also the power ballad Sunshine and If You Have To Ask. That???s the direction of the most of the following songs with plenty of slow intros and talk overs leading into love songs. The second side is completely forgettable because of this.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

BETTY WRIGHT
Slip And Do It/I Think I Better Think About it (Alston 76)
Slip And Do It is a tough sounding Funk tune with a head nodding beat and Wright???s strong vocals. I Think I Better Think About It is more of a slow and slick Soul piece.

LP REVIEWS:

VAN MCCOY AND THE SOUL CITY SYMPHONY
Love Is The Answer (AVCO 74)
I always associate Van McCoy with Disco, but he released a couple albums before that sound really took over. Love Is The Answer was one of those, but still shows his devotion to dance tunes. That???s displayed in this mostly instrumental record with its arranging featuring plenty of strings and orchestration. You hear that immediately with the opening Love Is The Answer, the slow jam Touch Me In The Morning, and even in his cover of Back Stabber that does away with the hard-hitting chorus and replaces it with an emaciated one. Things don???t really come together until African Symphony that starts off with some open percussion. Things pick up a little more with Boogie Down with its piano melody. The best cut is the last, entitled Funky Feet that keeps the rhythm section down to the minimum, and has a nice breakdown in the middle with just the keys and percussion.

MIRETTES
In The Midnight Hour (Revue 68)
This was the Mirettes first album. They start off with a little Motown feel with Take Me For A Little While that sounds like something the Supremes were doing at the time with a light dance beat to it. Better is the upbeat I???m A Whole New Thing and the slowed down and re-arranged cover of The Good Ship Lollipop. They finish things off with their first hit, a cover of In The Midnight Hour, which is by far the best cut of them all. Overall, this is a little underwhelming. Their second album is much, much better.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Never Ending (ABC-Paramount 64)
Never Ending was the Impression???s third album and suffers from a lack of consistency. Too many times the group covers cabaret songs like Satin Doll that are just too sappy to take. Even most of their Soul songs aren???t that impressive. However there are two exceptional standouts that save the record completely from the dustbin. Those are Girl You Don???t Know Me with a little catchy hitch to the rhythm, and the classic I???m So Proud, a slow jam that fully highlights the groups??? powerful vocals.

SWAMP DOGG
Total Destruction To Your Mind (Canyon 70)
Swamp Dogg was a longtime soul and RnB singer from Georgia. His voice and style seems heavily influenced by another son of Georgia, Otis Redding. Of Course, the Dogg, never reaches the intensity and power of Redding. Like a Redding album, however, Swamp Dogg provides a mix of upbeat Soul numbers like the title cut, mixed in with some slow jams like Synthetic World. The best overall song is Sal-A-Faster with its driving beat.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

FUNKADELIC
You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks/Funky Dollar Bill (Westbound 71)
This 45 combines two great Funkadelic songs before they were released on two separate LPs, Free Your Mind and Maggot Brain. Funky Dollar Bill combines that sick Black Rock that the band was famous for with a catchy sing along chorus. You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks is a slower, moodier piece that pounds away.

LAVELL KAMMA AND HIS AFRO SOUL REVIEW
Soft Soul/I Know Where It???s At (Tupelo Sound)
This is a 45 that I???d heard long ago on a mix CD and forgotten about. Soft Soul is the reason to check for it, as it???s a quality, mid-tempo Funk tune based around the bass and some horn flourishes. I Know Where It???s At sounds more like a Southern Soul tune and is also a good listen with some guitar and horn work at the beginning before Kamma???s rough vocals come in again. This is a very nice two sided 45 to look for.

LP REVIEWS:

MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS
Black Magic (Gordy 72)
After Martha Reeves recorded some of Motown???s biggest hits in the mid-1960s she fell on hard times as she became a drug addict. Black Magic was recorded the year that her group would break up. It???s got the usual mix of Motown style dance tracks like Your Love Makes It All Worthwhile and Bless You. The real highlights however are a cover of the Beatles??? Something, the rougher edged Tear It On Down, I???ve Given You The Best Years Of My Life that has a strong Gospel influence to it, the lush Soul of Anyone Who Had A Heart, and Hope I Don???t Get My Heart Broke that has a down home feel to it.

IRENE REID
The World Needs What I Need (Polydor 71)
Irene Reid was a Jazz singer who stretched out her style a bit on The World Needs What I Need. She opens up mostly singing standards such as Moon Dance and My Way, but she does such a good job with her delivery on them that you can???t help but give them a listen. She also throws in a version of Son Of A Preacher Man. On the second side she brings in the Blues with The World Needs What I Need. Reid really puts it all together with the funky Psychdelic Soul of Hey World, Let Love In.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
People Get Ready (ABC-Paramount 65)
Of the Impressions??? early ABC-Paramount LPs, this one might be their best. It???s definitely got the most impressive array of songs. They mix up the speeds and emotions with upbeat numbers like Woman???s Got Soul and We???re In Love that contrast with the slow jams like Emotions and Sometimes I Wonder, and the lighter numbers such as Just Another Dance and I???ve Found That I???ve Lost. The title track of course, is a stone cold classic worth the price of the record alone. It is truly one of the greatest Soul tunes I???ve ever heard. There???s also their other big hit You Must Believe Me that is another great Impressions??? song.

IMPRESSIONS
Preacher Man (Curtom 73)
Preacher Man sounds like no other Impressions??? record. It was recorded right after lead singer Leroy Hutson quit the group to go solo leaving Impressions??? stalwarts Sam Gooden and Fred Cash to record the album alone. They, along with producer and arranger Richard Tufo created a truly memorable selection of songs. The record captures the funky Soul feeling of the 70s that was being created by people like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes, with a little Marvin Gaye thrown in there for good measure. That???s heard on the opening instrumental What It Is with lots of percussion, the title track that has music straight out of the Superfly soundtrack with vocals that sound a bit like Gaye???s, and Find The Way and Thin Line that feature more percussion and heavy orchestration, finished off with the powerful Color Us All Gray (I???m Lost).

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

ICE MAN???S BAND
Introducing (Mercury 72)
The Ice Man???s Band was Jerry Butler???s back-up band. They lay down a great collection of instrumental covers starting off with I Wanna Be Where You Are with the organ holding down the melody. There???s also a laid back version of Come Together, the funky It???s Down To That, and Butler???s own Never Gonna Give You Up with some females singing the chorus. The best cut by far however, is the classic People Make The World Go Round.

MARVELETTES
Return Of (Tamla 70)
The Marvelettes were one of Motown???s early female-group success stories. They had such hits as Please Mr. Postman, Playboy, Beachwood 4-5789, and Don???t Mess With Bill. By the early 1970s they disbanded having not hit the charts for a while. Return Of was their very last release. Originally, this record was going to be a coming out party for lead singer Wanda Young as a solo performer, but Barry Gordy later changed the concept to a Marvelettes album. Smokey Robinson did producing with Wade Marcus sharing arrangement work. The ladies start off with some lush Soul on So I Can Love You, That???s How Heartaches Are Made, and Uptown. There are also some tunes with a slight edge to them such as Marionette. The group really comes through on the second side when they get away from your typical Motown arrangements on tunes such as the slow and moody After All and Our Lips Just Seem To Rhyme Everytime. There???s also the upbeat Fading Away and the closing I???ll Be In Trouble with some percussion in the background.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Ridin High (ABC-Paramount 66)
The Impressions had an impressive line of early releases and Ridin High is one of them. It gets off to a great start with a nearly flawless first half featuring Mayfield???s falsetto lead and light but uplifting tracks such as the title cut, No One Else, Gotta Get Away, I Need To Belong To Someone, Right On Time, and I Need A Love. The second side is just as good with the bluesy Too Slow, followed by a mix of pleading love songs and moody pieces such as Man???s Temptation and That???s What Mama Say, Let It Be Me, and I???m A Tellin You.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

VERNON GARRETT
We The People Of The Ghetto/You Blew My Mind (Watts U.S.A.)
This is a great two sided 45 starting off with the power Funk tune We The People Of the Ghetto. The song has a stripped down rhythm section and some horns that for the most part are just pushing forward that rhythm. You Blew My Mind is even better as a funky Soul tune with a great walking bass line that would be great for the dance-floor.

LP REVIEWS:

FONTELLA BASS
???New??? Look (Checker 65)
Fontella Bass was made famous by her big hit Rescue Me, which is the centerpiece of this, her debut album. Bass got her start in Gospel with her mother and grandmother being famous church singers in their own right. She quickly moved over to RnB when she was a teenager playing with Little Milton and Oliver Sain. Eventually she got a solo deal with Chess. The ???New??? Look is actually mostly standards such as Our Day Will Come and You???ve Lost That Lovin Feelin. Eventually she gets some good songs like the light Oh No, Not My Baby, the bluesy I???m A Woman, and I Know with its poppy-RnB sound. Of course, there???s also Rescue Me, which is an all time Soul classic with its swinging beat and sing along chorus.

MARGIE JOSEPH
Margie Joseph (Atlantic 73)
Years ago I skimmed through this record, but then forgot about it. Since I???ve been back into Soul so much lately I thought it was about time to pick it up. Margie Joseph was a southern girl who recorded for a variety of labels included Stax before she landed at Atlantic. There she worked with famed arranger and producer Arif Mardin. On her self-titled LP she also had the help of Cornell Dupree, Hugh McCracken, Richard Tee, Ralph MacDonald and Bernard Purdie. Together they have some nice moments such as the funky Soul of I Been Down with a jazzy bridge in the middle, How Do You Spell Love (according to Ms. Joseph it???s ???M-O-N-E-Y???), and You Better Know It, which is even better. There???s also the catchy mid-tempo Touch Your Woman. She finishes things off with the slow and moody I???d Rather Go Blind.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
This Is My Country (Curtom 68)
On This Is My Country the Impressions presented a variety of styles. There???s the socially conscious lyrics and Chicago groove of They Don???t Know with some subtle horn and string work, the poppy Soul of Stay Close To Me, the Rock influenced Love???s Happening, the lush sounding Gone Away and You Want Somebody Else, the sweet ballad So Unusual, the grooving Fool For You with its loud brass section, and finally the title cut to finish things off on a high note. This is probably why Impressions fans consider this one of their best pieces of work.

IMPRESSIONS
Times Have Changed (Curtom 72)
Times Have Changed was the first Impressions??? album after the departure of Curtis Mayfield. Leroy Hutson, who would eventually leave as well for a solo career, took his place. Mayfield???s presence was still felt throughout the record as he largely wrote it. That???s heard immediately on Stop The War, which is against the Vietnam War with plenty of wah wah guitar, that actually works better as a concept than an actual tune. Better is a cover of Inner City Blues. There???s also the fast paced Soul of Our Love Goes On And On, the smoothed out Potent Love, the catchy I Need To Belong Someone that liberally borrows from People Get Ready, and the slow jam This Loves For Real.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

RIPPLE BLAST SINGERS AND BAND
Rhythm And Blues Hits Of 68 (Power)
The Ripple Blast Singers And Band was a group of studio musicians that would release at least one record a year covering the latest hits. This version has so many good covers that I couldn???t pass it up. Each is done exactly like the original, which was the point of the compilation. There???s Sly Stone???s Dance To The Music, Aretha???s House That Jack Built, James Brown???s Say It Loud ??? I???m Black And I???m Proud, Archie Bells??? Tighten Up, finished off with Stoned Soul Picnic. Overall, this is a very nice record from a generic band.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Three The Hard Way OST (Curtom 74)
Three The Hard Way was a blaxploitation film featuring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly. The soundtrack is pretty good, probably because the Impressions were involved. The best tracks are the Soul tunes Make A Resolution, which is like the theme song of how Brown???s, Williamson???s and Kelly???s characters jointed together, That???s What Love Will Do with some laidback orchestration, and the upbeat Something???s Mighty, Mighty Wrong. There???s also On The Move that Pete Rock made famous by sampling, with its haunting intro before some jazzy male-female group vocals. Three The Hard Way (Chase & Theme) finishes things off with its fast paced beginning that mellows out when the Impressions??? singing comes in.

IMPRESSIONS
We???re A Winner (ABC 68)
We???re A Winner is one of my favorite Impressions??? tunes. It???s a perfect example of their sound with the uplifting lyrics and mood that it creates, backed by a great rhythm track with some powerful drumming and strings. In my book, you can???t do much better than that song. After that you have a series of styles from the mellow Doo Wop influenced Let Me Tell The World, to the sweetness of I???m Getting Ready, Little Brown Boy, and I Loved And I Lost, to the more upbeat Nothing Can Stop Me.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

DUSTY SPRINGFIELD
See Al Her Faces (Philips 72)
I heard about this LP through a CD swap via the Vinyl Vulture site. The reason why I hunted down a copy for myself is a great cover of Crumbs Off The Table with some searing Rock guitar in the background and some screeching horns. It really does justice to the song. The rest of the record is a bit of a mixed bag with some Bossa pieces like Come For A Dream and laid back numbers such as Let Me Down Easy. However there are the lush Soul of Girls Can???t Do What The Guys Do and Willie & Laura Mae Jones that has a down home Southern feel to it.

SUPREMES
Supremes Produced And Arranged By Jimmy Webb (Motown 72)
This was one of the Supremes??? post-Diana Ross releases. As the title implies, they were under the direction of producer Jimmy Webb for this album. That addition didn???t seem to make up for the loss here. Most of the music is overproduced and orchestrated Soul tunes that sound like they could come from a musical or cabaret rather than the Motown studios. The Supremes were capable of some good music during this period in their career, this just doesn???t happen to be one of them.

TEMPTATIONS
Live! (Gordy 67)
The Temptations??? Live! album captures them at their best, belting out their hits in front of an audience at the Upper Deck Club. First there???s a fast-paced medley consisting of Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue), The Girl???s Alright With Me, I???ll Be In Trouble and I Want A Love I Can See. That???s followed by My Girl, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, and Ain???t To Proud To Beg. The second side is even better after a slow start with a cover of Old Man River, they take off again with Get Ready, the laid back Fading Away, My Baby with a little breakdown in the middle, the Doo Wop flavored You???ll Lose A Precious Love, all finished off with an extended version of Don???t Look Back with plenty of screaming ladies in the crowd.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

IMPRESSIONS
Young Mods??? Forgotten Story (Curtom 69)
Yong Mods??? Forgotten Story is one of the Impressions??? best albums. It has the great uplifting Soul of the title cut and Seven Years with its piano bridge, the social commentary of Choice of Colors, the subtle The Girl I Find, Love???s Miracle, Jealous Man, and Soulful Love. They finish off strong with one of their best songs as well, the powerful Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey). On this album, the group really could do no wrong.

JIRO INAGAKI & CHUCK RAINEY RHYTHM SECTION
Blockbuster (Eastworld 78)
I???m always interested in Japanese jazz records from the 70s. Some of them like Teruo Nakamura and Ryo Kawasaki made some really nice, funky Fusion records. Those two came to the U.S. to make a name for themselves. On this record, Jiro Inagaki brought Americans to Japan to record. This record combines Jiro Inagaki and his Japanese horn and vocal group with Chuck Rainey and his American rhythm section. Most of the songs are Jazz Fusion but there are some real standouts here. First off is Theme From ???Starsky & Hutch???, a good song already, but this version features a twangy guitar solo, followed by a bass and conga breakdown, topped off by a long drum and conga break. Blockbuster is also a fast-paced Fusion tune with some nice conga and drum work, while Elocution is more of a Soul-Jazz piece with some Fusion elements. Some might also like the slick UFO with another bass and conga breakdown.

 

[motown67]

LP REVIEWS:

HONEY CONE
Sweet Replies (Hot Wax 71)
The three ladies known as Honey Cone released a trio of albums in a very short period of time at the beginning of the 1970s. Sweet Replies was the most successful because it included their biggest hit, Want Ads. It happens to be the opening number, and what a great way to start off a record. Musically, the song is upbeat and damn catchy. Lyrically, the chorus seems assertive of the singers??? womanhood as they proclaim that they will look for a new man, while the versus are about heartbreak and being cheated on. Also worth a listen are the hard hitting Are You man Enough, Are You Strong Enough with some percussion in the background, When Will It End with a driving drum beat, Feeling???s Gone with its Gospel feel, the funky Sunday Morning People, the hard hitting Deaf, Blind, Paralyzed, plus Heart Won???t Let Me with its Motown inspired rhythm. Wants Ads alone would be reason enough to pick up this LP, but the rest is pretty solid as well.

WOJCIECH SKOWRONSKI
Blues & Rock (Muza)
Like a lot of music, O-Dub originally turned me onto this record. Wojciech Skowronski was a Polish keyboardist who recorded for the famous Muza label. Blues & Rock starts off with the title track that has a Jazz base with a little Latin influenced percussion in the background and Skowronski???s skat singing over the top. Half way through the song devolves into a series of percussion heavy breakdowns that add a little funky element. The rest of the record is a little bit of a mixed bag and not half as interesting as that one tune.

IKE & TINA TURNER
Live In Paris (United Artists 71)
Live In Paris was recorded in that city???s Olympia Theater at the beginning of 1971. Although the group plays nothing but covers, it was the performance that counted when it came to Ike & Tina. They always seemed to deliver. After a short intro the group gets down to business with 3 songs featuring the Ikettes. First is a slowed down and funky version of You Got Me Hummin. That???s followed by Everyday People and Shake A Tail Feather that kicks into overdrive half way through. Miss Turner joins the fray with a medley of Gimme Some Loving/Sweet Soul Music with all the energy she and the band can muster. You can just visualize her and the Ikettes doing their dance moves during the blaring horn section at the end. Things take a temporary break with Son Of A Preacher Man. Of course, there???s Proud Mary with Tina???s trademark rough and easy intro. That pattern of toning it down and then ratcheting it back up continues with A Love Like Yours Don???t Come Knocking Everyday, Respect, Honky Tonk Women, I???ve Been Loving You Too Long, and I Want To Take You Higher. Overall, this is an excellent live performance caught on vinyl.

UPSETTERS FEATURING JIMMY WESS
We Remember Otis (ABC 69)
The Upsetters were a group out of Baltimore that dedicated this album to the late great Otis Redding as the title implies. They get right down to business with a medley featuring Sweet Soul Music, Respect, Satisfaction and Shake, which sets the groove perfectly for the record. That???s followed by other Otis??? hits such as I Can???t Turn You Loose, (Sittin On The) Dock Of The Bay, and the lesser-known Don???t Mess With Cupid. Not all of the songs are ones by Redding however. There???s the slow jam Always In The Wrong Place, the instrumental The Memphis Sound that???s a take off of the Mar-Keys, and a cover of the Bar-Kays??? Grab This Thing to finish things off.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES

LUTHER INGRAM
I???ve Been Here All The Time (Koko 72)
Luther Ingram is one of my favorite Soul singers. Even though he had a big hit with If Loving You Is Wrong I Don???t Want To Be Right, I???ve always felt that he was a bit over looked. Luther Ingram was originally from Tennessee and when he signed with the Koko label he found his greatest success. His heart wrenching balladic style is heard immediately on Ain???t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) with its strong horn work. That???s followed by another slow jam in You Were Made For Me. Even better is the grooving Missing You, Be Good To Me Baby with its powerful rhythm section, and Pity For The Lonely with its catchy piano line that pushes the song along.

LUTHER INGRAM
(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don???t Want To Be Right (Koko 72)
This was the album that put Luther Ingram on the charts. The title track is one of those great love songs that just make you sing along with Ingram???s emotional delivery. After that there???s the laidback I???ll Be Your Shelter (In Time Of Storm) and Help Me Love, plus the more upbeat I Remember that are also worth a listen, but the real gem is that opening hit tune.

INSTANT FUNK
Instant Funk (Salsoul 79)
Instant Funk had an instant hit on their hands with I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl) that was the feature of their self-titled release on Salsoul. The tune has sing-along lyrics, and great percussive backing that???s often featured in breaks that are part of the infectious dance beat. The rest of the songs tend towards Disco tunes like Crying and You Say You Want Me To Stay that have some more breaks, and Don???t You Wanna Party, all of which feature some pounding rhythms. There???s also Dark Vader with its obvious Star Wars inspired title, but sounds more like a Funkadelic tune from their mothership period.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

BILL CODAY
I???m Back To Collect/Jury Of Love (Cra Jon)
I???m Back To Collect has a chugging rhythm and rough vocals by Coday to make for a funky mix. Jury Of Love is a nice, slow bluesy number.

INTRUDERS
Cowboys To Girls/Turn The Hands Of Time (Gamble 68)
I recently busted out with a Greatest Hits album of the Intruders and realized that my copy of this 45 was trashed. Luckily I found a minty OG one at a local store. Everyone probably knows the tune Cowboys To Girls as it was a huge hit and can still be heard on oldies stations to this day. The song is a perfect example of the early Gamble and Huff Soul sound with some slick strings and sing-along chorus. Turn The Hands Of Time has a strong Motown influence with its Pop-Soul sound.

SYL JOHNSON
I Only Have Love/Come On Home (Hi 75)
I Only Have Love is from Syl Johnson???s Total Explosion album, while Come On Home is a 45 only release. That first song is a nice upbeat tune with a bluesy kind of tone to it. Come On Home on the other hand, is a slow and gut wrenching ballad. Both have that distinctive Hi sound that Willie Mitchell created in his studio.

JEAN WELLS
Have A Little Mercy/With My Love And What You???ve Got (Calla)
Have A Little Mercy is the star of this 45. It starts off with a solo guitar before Ms. Wells??? pleading vocals join in to make this a real power Soul number. It gets even better when the horns join in and the drummer starts pounding on his snare. That first side is nothing to take away from the flip, which is an upbeat and catchy dance number.

LP REVIEWS:

HONEY CONE
Soulful Tapestry (Hot Wax 72)
Soulful Tapestry is the third album by Honey Cone that I picked up. They get off to a hot start with some upbeat Soul tunes such as Don???t Count Your Chickens (Before They Hatch) and Stick-Ups. Probably for sales reasons, they also included their big hit Want Ads that came out the year before on both 45 and another album, but I can???t hate because I love the tune. After that they tone it down for some pleading love songs like Who???s It Gonna Be and How Does It Feel. If I had to choose between their records, I???d pick their two 1971 albums because they have more heat than Soulful Tapestry.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

ISLEY BROTHERS
3 + 3 Featuring: That Lady (T-Neck 73)
The Isley Brothers??? 3 + 3 will always be remembered for the opening hit song That Lady with its searing guitar licks and slick group vocals over a fast beat, plus there???s that breakdown in the middle with percussion to top things off. It really is a classic. After that great start however, the record seriously falls off with too many mellow tunes. The two exceptions are You Walk Your Way with its a nice melody, as well as Summer Breeze with more guitar work by Ernie Isley.

 

[motown67]

45 REVIEWS:

INEZ & CHARLIE FOXX
(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days/A Stranger I Don???t Know (Wish It Was You) (Dynamo)
Count The Days is a really catchy, mid-tempo Soul tune with Inez???s brother Charlie counting down the numbers during the chorus, while sister Inez gets some call and response by the girl back-ups during the versus. The flip is more of a pop tune with Charlie singing, and it???s not half as interesting.

GLASS HOUSE
Bad Bill Of Goods/Crumbs Off The Table (Invictus 69)
Glass House were four ladies, including Freda Payne???s sister Scherrie, who were signed to Holland-Dozier-Holland???s Invictus label. This 45 actually became the first big hit on the fledgling label. Crumbs Off The Table was the chart buster with a guitar intro, later joined by the horns, that leads into a funky Soul tune. The song is good, but I think Laura Lee did a better job with it later on. Bad Bill Of Goods has a more pensive feel to it.

INTRUDERS
Together/Up And Down The Ladder (Gamble)
Together is an uplifting Soul number pushed along by the horns and the Intruders??? group vocals. Up And Down The Ladder is more upbeat and more of a dance tune with a strong hint of Motown in it, but still a good listen.

SYL JOHNSON
I Want To Take You Home (To See My Mama) (Hi 74)
This 45 comes from Syl Johnson???s Diamond In The Rough LP. The song is upbeat Soul, but a little too light and poppy for my tastes.

TECHNIQUES
My Girl/Love Is Not A Gamble (Treasure Isle)
The Techniques were one of Jamaica???s great vocal groups that got their start during the Rock Steady era and continued on into the Reggae period. On this 45 they were backed up by studio musicians extraordinaire Tommy McCook and the Supersonics. First up is My Girl that features the group???s strong group vocals over a Rock Steady beat led by the high notes of the organ. Love Is Not A Gamble is more of the same with the Techniques??? sweet vocal harmonizing.

O.V. WRIGHT
A Nickel And A Nail/Pledging My Love (Back Beat)
A Nickel And A Nail is a great southern Soul tune with a pleading, soul wrenching mood to it, similar to the Hi sound, all accentuated by O.V. Wright???s singing. Pledging My Love is a slow RnB love song.

LP REVIEWS:

OUTLAW BLUES BAND
Outlaw Blues Band (Blues Way 69)
Tobacco Road starts things off with a nice rhythm tack, some strong guitar work, and a little breakdown where the band gets a little loose and frisky. Next is a Blues tune with the great satirical title of Tried To Be A Good Boy (But I???m Worse Than A Nazi), followed by the fast paced How Bad Love Can Be and I???ve Got To Have Peace On My Mind where they get a little Psychedelic. The rest of the album isn???t that hot, but the first side is very listenable from beginning to end.

OLD RECORDS OUT THE CRATES:

ISLEY BROTHERS
Between The Sheets (T-Neck 83)
Everyone should know about this LP as the title track was a huge hit, and was later sampled several times for some very popular Hip Hop tunes. Everything is great about it from its catchy beat to the light falsetto singing. Unfortunately, after that great song, there are slim pickings consisting mostly of slow jams. The two exceptions are Ballad For The Fallen Soldier with plenty of Rock tinged guitar that was heard on the group???s 70s releases, and Slow Down Children, a nice, mid-tempo modern Soul number.