Junior Parker - Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On (1971)

Bluesman Junior Parker was born in Mississippi in 1932. As a teen he worked with and learned from some of the early greats of Blues music, from Sonny Boy Williamson to Howlin' Wolf to Bobby "Blue" Bland to B.B. King. Parker released a string of singles through the 50's and 60's, with many scoring well on the R&B charts. He died from a brain tumour in 1971, the same year that "Love Ain't Nothin'..." was released. The album - a real gem from start to finish - combines soul, funk and blues in a hip pot-pourri that avoids many of the clichés of other blues albums of the time. Parker's velvet-smooth, honeyed vocals shine through on the title track, along with "Outside Man" and "River's Invitation," while three Beatles covers - "Taxman," "Lady Madonna" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" - are pure quality. Al Green, on his 1974 album "...Explores Your Mind," dedicated the song "Take Me To The River" to Parker, describing him as "a cousin of mine who's gone on, and we'd kinda like to carry on in his name." Strong tribute indeed!

Go to Discogs for album info:

Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On

CD available at Amazon:

(amazon.com) Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On

(amazon.ca) Love Ain't Nothin But A Business Goin' On

(amazon.co.uk) Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business Goin' On

Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces Of A Man (1971)

Gil Scott-Heron's second album, "Pieces Of A Man," was far more musical than his minimalist, poetic debut. Backed up by a bevy of talented musicians, including Ron Carter, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Hubert Laws, and soon-to-be main collaborator Brian Jackson, the album was quite possibly his most cohesive and accessible. Of Scott-Heron's voice, Carter would later say, "He wasn't a great singer, but with that voice, if he whispered it would have been dynamic. It was a voice like you would have for Shakespeare." Dynamic and full of feeling certainly applies to this collection, with not a weak piece to be heard. My fave's include the reworked "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," the biting, honest "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," and the haunting "Pieces Of A Man." If you're a fan of Gil Scott-Heron, you probably have this already; if not, this is as good a place to start appreciating his genius!

On to Discogs for album info:

Pieces Of A Man

The Undisputed Truth - The Undisputed Truth (1971)

The Undisputed Truth came together as a trio in 1970. Original members were Joe Harris (formerly of the Preps, and involved with the Ohio Players in the 60's), and Billy Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce (previously with the Delicates, and back-up singers for Diana Ross, the Four Tops and Edwin Starr). The "project" was backed by Norman Whitfield, the famous Motown producer, who at the time was also reworking and reshaping the Temptations. The Undisputed Truth were always seen as something of a warm-up-band, with Whitfield using them to experiment on his psychedelic soul ideas (a number of Temptations songs were also recorded by this group); however, their work has merit in its own right, with great musicality and vocal quality. Highlights of "The Undisputed Truth," their debut album, include "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (which reached #3 on the R&B charts), "California Soul" and the hyper-extended, 11-minute "Ball Of Confusion."

To Discogs for album info:

The Undisputed Truth

Lonnie Smith - Mama Wailer (1971)

Organist Lonnie Smith got his start in the music business in 1965, playing in George Benson's first group. In '67, he joined Lou Donaldson's band, where he had a hand in the recording of numerous acid-jazz classics (such as "Alligator Boogaloo" and "Peepin"). Donaldson got him hooked up with Blue Note, and he recorded 4 albums of soulful funk with the label in the late 60's. When Smith left Blue Note, Creed Taylor brought him into the studio to record "Mama Wailer." Smith added the term "Doctor" to his name later as he considered himself the "doctor of groove," and it has been said that this album was his doctoral thesis. The record is a funk classic. It features an all star lineup, including Billy Cobham, Ron Carter and Grover Washington, Jr., and four extended cuts (two originals and two covers). Highlights include the title track, a cover of Carol King's "I Feel The Earth Move" (King's "Tapestry" album was being covered by EVERYONE in '71), and a full-side version of Sly Stone's "Stand." Smith all but disappeared as a leader after this album, but experienced a revival of interest in his work in the early 90's when the acid jazz movement broke.

Album info. on Discogs:

Mama Wailer

Available on Japanese Import CD from Amazon:

(amazon.com) Mama Wailer

(amazon.ca) Mama Wailer

(amazon.co.uk) Mama Wailer

Margie Joseph - Phase II (1971)

Margie Joseph's second album, aptly named "Phase II," followed on in more ways than one from "Makes A New Impression," released a year earlier. Recording and production locations were unchanged, resulting in a similar Memphis/Motown crossover feel, and she again borrowed a song from the Supremes - this time, "My World Is Empty Without You." This second effort didn't sell as well as her debut, though it was equally competent. After this album, Margie moved on to Atlantic where, in 1973, she recorded perhaps her most successful album, "Margie."

Album info. on Discogs:

Phase II

Available on 2-for-1 CD from Amazon:

(amazon.com) Make A New Impression & Phase II

(amazon.ca) Makes A New Impression & Phase II

Bill Withers - Just As I Am (1971)

Best known for the classics "Lean On Me" and "Just The Two Of Us," Bill Withers entered the music business relatively late in life. "Just As I Am," his first album, was released when the singer-songwriter was already in his 30's. Perhaps that is why this work seems so mature for a debut. Withers' voice is throaty, bluesy and buttery soft, his guitar work soulful, and lyrics gripping. He tells stories - little nuggets - that hold you from start to finish. "Harlem," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" are true highlights of this work. The album is not available as a standalone disk, but is available on CD as a "two-fer" along with "the follow-up, "Still Bill."

Disk info. at Discogs:

Just As I Am

Two-fer CD at Amazon:

(amazon.com) Just As I Am & Still Bill

(amazon.ca) Just as I Am & Still Bill

S.O.U.L. - What Is It (1971)

S.O.U.L. (Sounds of Unity and Love) formed in Cleveland in 1970. They entered a local battle-of-the-bands contest, and won first prize - $1,000 and a recording contract. Cash and contract in hand, the band headed to New York to cut their first single, "Down In The Ghetto, Parts I & II." The single did well enough that they were invited to record a second single, and then a full album. The result? "What Is It," which made it into the top 40 of the Billboard Soul Album chart, and stayed there for fully 2 months. The album is a mix of originals and covers, with vocals and without, and a spontaneous energy throughout. If you want to know what "Soul" is, give the album and self-titled song a spin... it won't take long for you to figure it out!

Album info. here:

What Is It

2-for-1 CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) What Is It & Can You Feel It

(amazon.ca) What Is It & Can You Feel It

Esther Phillips - From A Whisper To A Scream (1971)

Esther Phillips (who went by "Little Esther" early in her career) recorded seven albums for Kudu/CTI. This was the first, and it's outstanding! The album was nominated for a Grammy, but Esther lost out to Aretha Franklin. Aretha presented the award to Esther telling her she should have won instead. The standout track, "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," gave an account of drug use and addiction. Penned by Gil Scott-Heron, the song was especially personal to Esther as she herself had battled with drug addiction years earlier. This one is a "must-buy," if you can find a copy.

Album info:

From A Whisper To A Scream

Japan Import available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) From Whisper To A Scream

(amazon.ca) From Whisper To A Scream