TCB's sole album is a mix of soul based horn rock with gruff vocals and bluesy motifs, coupled with a gentle folk side recalling perhaps Michaelangelo of One Voice Many fame. Roller rink organ, fuzz guitar, harpsichord, male/female vocals, alto/tenor sax, and trumpet are the primary instruments. The music is very much a sound of its time and recalls other such acts like The Albert, Sod, 4th Cekcion, etc... The band's ace up the sleeve, though, is the 23+ minute closer, which shows TCB stretching out in jazz rock fashion. A choppy organ, bass, drums vamp is laid down, and each instrument is allowed some time for an improvisational solo including a bit of scat singing. While not exactly groundbreaking, it is unusual to find this much time allocated for such music - especially on what is essentially a pop rock record. A fine album worth investigating. Quite a long one too considering the era in which it was released.
This TCB is not to be confused with Elvis Presley's backup band who operated from 1969 to 1977. And just like that TCB, this ensemble is indeed an acronym that stands for Taking Care of Business.
This is an old entry from the CDRWL (priority 3). I had purchased the LP, but have just decided to let it go, though I do think it's not bad at all. Just too much stuff here.
LP: 1970 Traffic
Originally reviewed: November 1, 2014
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