Allen Toussaint - From A Whisper To A Scream (1970)

By 1970, when this album was recorded, Allen Toussaint was already a New Orleans legend on several fronts: as pianist, arranger, songwriter and producer. In the 60's, he had written and produced hits for Irma Thomas, Art and Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey and others, and his compositions had been covered by a range of artists, including Otis Redding, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones and The Who. Though not technically his debut, this marks his true start as a solo artist. The proper title for this release is a little confusing; it was first released as "Toussaint" on the Scepter label, and re-released in the 80's as "From A Whisper To A Scream" by Kent. The album is split into two parts: Side 1 is the "vocal" side, and Side 2 "instrumental." Vocal highlights include the title track, "Sweet Touch Of Love" (used recently in an award-winning TV commercial for Axe deodorants) and "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky" (covered by the likes of Lou Donaldson, Claudia Lennear and O'Donel Levy). The breadth of Toussaint's influence in the music world is vast; other artists who have recorded his songs include The Judds, Devo, Robert Palmer, The O'Jays, The Band, Glen Campbell, The Pointer Sisters, Boz Scaggs and Herb Alpert, to name just a few. Legend indeed!

Album info at Discogs:

Toussaint

From A Whisper To A Scream

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Chocolate Milk - Actions Speak Louder Than Words (1975)

Chocolate Milk formed in 1974, shortly after Kool & The Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire hit the big time. The band soon moved to New Orleans to replace The Meters as Allen Toussaint's studio and live backing band. The group is best known for this, their debut album, though they would release seven more increasingly discofied albums before breaking up in 1983. "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" is a gem of an album, with tight, funky rhythms overlaid with spacey, jazzy electrics. Although not overtly political, there are messages in many of the tracks. The title cut - a slow funk classic - has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists, including Eric B. & Rakim and Stetsasonic. "Time Machine" - another slow groover - is still a favourite, while "Pretty Pimpin' Willie," "Ain't Nothin' But A Thing" and "My Mind Is Hazy" are all strong efforts.

Album info found at Discogs:

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

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Creative Source - Creative Source (1973)

Creative Source formed in 1972 when several West Coast session musicians joined up under the management of Ron Townsend, of 5th Dimension fame. Their self-titled debut album was released a year later on Sussex, which also happened to be Bill Withers' label. THE highlight of the album was the drawn out, funky cover of Withers' "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)," which would become a staple track for club DJ's of the time. The song reached #21 on the US R&B singles charts in 1974. Two other singles, "You Can't Hide Love" and "You're Too Good To Be True," also charted, and the album made it to #21 on the R&B album charts in 1974. Four more Creative Source albums followed over the next three years, but none came close to the promise of their debut, and the group disbanded in 1977 after losing their recording contract.

Album info at Discogs:

Creative Source

Bill Withers - Still Bill (1972)

Bill Withers' debut album, "Just As I Am," was a huge success, and expectations were justifiably high for the self-produced follow up, "Still Bill." Withers delivered, and then some, with a cohesive effort that expounded on all varieties of love, from purely romantic on "Kissing My Love," to jealous paranoia on "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)," to one-sided love on "Use Me," to supportive friendship on "Lean On Me," and everything in between. The music is sometimes laid back, sometimes gritty and funky, with able back up from friends and ex-Charles Wright band members James Gadson, Benorce Blackmon, Ray Jackson and Melvin Dunlap. "Lean On Me," number 205 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time, went to #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts, and "Use Me" hit #2. "Who Is He..." has been covered numerous times, including a 12-minute stunner by Creative Source in 1973, and versions by Gladys Knight and Meshell N'degeocello. The album is available on CD, both as a standalone and as a 2-for-1 with "Just As I Am." Either disc makes a welcome addition to any collection.

Album info from Discogs:

Still Bill

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