S.O.U.L. - Can You Feel It? (1972)

S.O.U.L.'s second album, "Can You Feel It?" took their music to a new level. Maturity and refinement were more evident, lyrics were more thoughtful and probing, and original songs replaced covers, but the raw energy and love of musical performance remained. There isn't a weak track in this collection, and the album remained in the charts for 5 months. Although the band would record other records, this and the first album were the highlights of S.O.U.L.'s opus. The band is now sadly neglected in the States, but they maintain strong album sales overseas, particularly in Europe.

Discogs link for album info. here:

Can You Feel 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

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

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody (1975)

As a group, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes existed in several forms with an ever shifting membership from 1954 to 1996, when Harold Melvin died. Their greatest success occurred in the period 1972-1976, during which they recorded for Philadelphia International. This period also coincided with Teddy Pendergrass' membership, and ended when he left in a dispute over money and the desire to have his name included as part of the group name. This album contains a mix of both socially conscious and carefree party anthems, with the title track being a fine example of the former, and the smash, "Don't Leave Me This Way," perhaps the finest disco song of all time. The album is available on CD but not with the original cover, hence this post.

Album info. from Discogs:

Wake Up Everybody

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Wake Up Everybody

(amazon.ca) Wake Up Everybody

Joe Beck - Beck (1975)

In 1975, after 2 years working as a session musician on several CTI albums by the likes of Joe Farrell and Idris Muhammad, Creed Taylor invited Beck to record his first solo album, and at the same time offered him his artistic redemption. Prior to hooking up with CTI, Beck had been in semi-retirement for 3 years, working as a dairy farmer after losing confidence in himself recording with Miles Davis in 1967 on the "Circle In The Round" sessions (that album wasn't released until 1979). Artwork for the original "Beck" release of the album was done by Abdul Mati Klarwein, who also created the covers for Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and "Live Evil" albums. The album was re-released in 1979 with a new title - "Beck & Sanborn" - and cover, with changes designed to capitalize on David Sanborn's growing fame.

Album Info:

Beck

Both album versions available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Beck

(amazon.com) Beck & Sanborn

(amazon.ca) Beck

(amazon.ca) Beck & Sanborn

Esther Phillips - For All We Know (1976)

Another Esther Phillips post... "For All We Know " might just as easily have been called "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes, Volume 2." Both albums feature Joe Beck, playing guitar and taking care of string arrangements, along with most of the backing musicians from the earlier project. "What A Diff'rence..." was a massive hit (the album was Esther's best seller, and the single was hugely popular in the clubs), and "For All We Know" was conceived and recorded in a hurry to capitalize on Esther's resulting popularity. The album was well received by club and radio DJ's, but unfortunately didn't spawn any hit singles. Nonetheless, it's a fine effort, and worth adding to any collection. It's available as a Japanese import only.

Album info:

For All We Know

Japanese Import CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) For All We Know

(amazon.ca) For All We Know

Philadelphia Classics (1977)

The Philly Sound was characterized by a blend of funk influences and lush string and horn instrumentations. Some might argue that the sound was overproduced, but it proved extremely popular and set the stage for the highly polished sounds of the developing Disco scene. Some of the most famous Philly groups are represented on this blinder of a record, including MFSB, the O'Jays, and Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, and there's not a weak song in the bunch. This and the preceding Motown Disco post would make a killer DJ set... two turntables, two records, and one fantastic dance party!

Track info:

Philadelphia Classics

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Philadelphia Classics

A Motown Special Disco Album (1977)

Motown hit the doldrums in the mid 70's after moving their headquarters from Detroit to Los Angeles. It could be argued that Disco saved Motown, starting in 1976 when at one point they had 6 releases in the top 10. The move to 12" DJ Promo singles started in 1974 when Tom Moulton started producing ten and eleven minute grooves that proved very popular in club land. This collection contains 12" versions of some massive hits, which would have been reason enough to buy the album, but the cover (art by Helene Majera) undoubtedly also enhanced sales.

Info. from Discogs:

A Motown Special Disco Album

Wood, Brass & Steel - Wood, Brass & Steel (1976)

Hailing from New Jersey, Wood, Brass & Steel put out just this one album, then disappeared. Bassist Doug Wimbish and guitarist Skip McDonald resurfaced several years later on the Sugarhill house band. There's a nice mix of tempos in this collection surrounding the album's two big hits: a cracking cover version of "Always There," a Ronnie Laws tune that was also later done by Incognito, and the underground club classic "Funkanova."

Info. at Discogs:

Wood, Brass & Steel

The Soul Children - Genesis (1972) and Friction (1974)

After Sam & Dave left Stax, there was a hole to fill at the label. Isaac Hayes and David Porter put this group together to fill it. The group were together for 10 years, from 1968 to 1978, during which time they scored 15 R&B hits. "Genesis" and "Friction" are the 3rd and 4th of 7 albums. These are available on a 2-for-1 CD, but I for one am not a big fan of the "two-fer" covers, hence the post of these originals.

Info. at Discogs:

Genesis and Friction

2-for-1 CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Genesis & Friction

(amazon.ca) Genesis & Friction

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (1974)

William DeVaughn was a draftsman with the government when he cut this album. The title track, recorded with members of MFSB, sold nearly 2 million copies and went to #1 on the US R&B charts. Two other singles, "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" and "Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand" also sold relatively well. Much of the rest of the album has a strong religious bent (DeVaughn was also a Jehovah's Witness). This album is available on CD, but with a rather ugly cover. This is the original.

Info. at Discogs:

Be Thankful For What You Got

Album available (with different cover) on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Be Thankful For What You Got

(amazon.ca) Be Thankful For What You Got