Rare Earth ~ USA ~ Detroit, Michigan

In Concert (1971)

If there's an album that proves my theory about Rare Earth never letting loose, it's In Concert. When finding this CD I had hoped that perhaps in a live setting, Rare Earth would bring a new level of intensity. Sadly they do not. I'd submit they are of a lower energy than the studio versions. They proved this point the most on 'I Know I'm Losing You', a track that should send chills up the spine. 

Not to say they sleep walked through these tracks either, just that they did not bring the oomph they need. One only has to listen to Judas Priest's Unleashed in the East to know what a kinetic live album can add to studio recordings.

Though In Concert remains their highest rated album (according to RYM), I'm not convinced it achieves the high marks. I would think the only reason to seek this out is for the near 11 minute jam 'Thoughts' which I believe is the only place the track exists.

Source: Motown (CD)

1/28/26 (review)
 

One World (1971)

The big hit here is 'I Just Want to Celebrate' which is definitely the best song on the album for my tastes. This is a good album but somewhat "generic Rare Earth" sounding. They were to rebound nicely on Ma, but this title is a bit mundane. 

Source: 1971 Rare Earth (LP)

9/11/24 (notes)

Ma (1973)

Another solid hard rock funk album from Rare Earth who seem to specialize in heavy psych covers of soul classics. B3 is a killer, one of their best ever. B4 is oddly erotic but a very good track and a different direction for the group. I can do without B2. The side long track is like a lot of the Rare Earth catalog - always on the cusp of something big, and yet they hold back. They never really did let loose for that one psychotic Krautrock styled freakout. I'll keep this one.

Ownership: 1973 Rare Earth (LP). Acquired in 2024.

6/13/24 (review) 

Ecology (1970)

---5/9/22

OK, this is the Rare Earth album I've been looking for. Non stop kickass hard rock and organ. My copy is trashed (like all the ones I've seen), so I'll need to upgrade before commenting more. The only reason I have this copy at all is that I took a chance on one of those Goodwill auctions. It was predictably not a great experience. Fortunately the two records I thought I could resell turned out pretty good and will more than pay for the lot. But I'm not doing that again. I had to throw away the Eagles' Hotel California album it was in such bad shape. Goodwill sucks really. 

---5/19/23

So that day has finally come. There was an interim copy with the cover in shrink, but the vinyl once again barely made the VG level. I finally found a German copy, itself visually a VG, but it plays much better. So let's analyze the album a bit further.

In a lot of ways Rare Earth reminds me of Iron Butterfly. Not so much in sound, but lost opportunity. While both of these bands reached their peak long before my time, any kind of historical study will show that they were both huge in their day and highly influential. Motown named a sublabel after Rare Earth, as but one example. Had they been based in Europe they likely would have had more creative freedom, but the major labels here were laser focused on the next hit, and it appears that both of these legendary bands were all too willing to play ball. Bad for their legacy, and ultimately bad for their pocketbook. Rare Earth arguably fared better with their most known song coming one year later in 'I Just Want to Celebrate'.

While the previous Get Ready had a side long track, it's here on Ecology where the band experiments the most. And the one track where that really becomes apparent is a cover of The Temptations' '(I Know) I'm Losing You'. Everything about it is so perfect, yet it feels like it should be so much more. It's on the verge of psychotic madness but holds back just enough to keep within sane levels. It's use of quiet space inside the proposed boundaries is brilliant. And while it does have some wicked guitar, one wishes for it to have gone off the rails while the impassioned vocals are being echoed throughout the halls. The whole album maintains this feel that they're holding back something special, yet it's still an excellent album. It should have been a masterpiece though. For 1970 America, Ecology was considerably ahead of its time. If only Del Jones had walked in and had some influence. Hoo-boy, wouldn't have that been something? Today dogeared copies of Rare Earth albums sit unwanted in dollar bins, awaiting their ultimate fate to the trashcan. A mere historical footnote in the annals of rock music.

Ownership: 1970 Rare Earth Germany (LP). Acquired in 2023.

5/9/22 (first acquired / notes); 5/19/23 (review)

Get Ready (1969) 

Here is Rare Earth's breakthrough 1969 release. Like with Iron Butterfly, Rare Earth were a band that was positioned for a long great career, only to let it slip through their hands. Similarly their albums are relatively easy to find, and demand remains light. All the same, they are to hard to find in nice condition, as they are usually partied out by now. And taking the comparison further, one could look at Get Ready as Detroit's response to Southern California's In-a-Gadda-da-Vida. Some rockin' tracks on Side 1 followed by a near 22 minute opus on the flip. It's more direct than the oftentimes esoteric Iron Butterfly, but that speaks to the region itself. This isn't my first go round with Get Ready, an album I first picked up back in the late 80s. I thought it was OK, but it should have been better, and moved it out. Some 40 years later, and I still agree with my original assessment. The songwriting is a little light, and the cover tracks aren't particularly compelling. But it's also hard not to appreciate the excellent fuzz guitar throughout. I'm appreciating Get Ready more today than prior, but it isn't near the level - or as influential - as Iron Butterfly's masterwork.

Ownership: Motown (CD). 90s issue. Acquired in 2023.

1989 (first acquired); 5/12/21 (review); 6/23/23 (update)

5/19/23 (new entry)

War ~ USA ~ Los Angeles, California

War Live (1974)

One of the biggest challenges with collecting War is that their albums are almost always wrecked. Partied out as we used to say. This one wasn't too bad, and at 69 cents, I'm grabbing it. Nice to see that RYM has this as their highest rated album. And most of the tracks have long durations, almost assuring us of a jam session. The only representative of their commercial side is 'The Cisco Kid', so this should prove to be quite the experience. And? Well not really. War is really a soul group playing funk and Latin rock. This isn't Mandrill or Malo by any stretch. When they do jam, it's not really of the intense variety, which is what I was hoping for. Everyone gets their turn, and it sort meanders about. Nothing wrong with that of course, as I'm sure it was a fun concert. Good album on the whole, but not something I need to keep.

Source: 1974 United Artists (2xLP)

6/16/15; 9/6/25 (review) 

War (1971)

I had high hopes for this early effort, but it fell flat to my ears. Mostly this is soul... funk music, with an obvious emphasis on the former. Which can be OK, if the melodies stick. But I'm afraid they didn't with me. The exception here is the album closer 'Fidel's Fantasy', which can only be categorized as weird. And there's a segment in the middle where Charles Miller's flute sounds almost Krautrock like. Lyrically they're going after Castro, which is refreshing during an era where there was too much sympathy for thugs like him. Sort of like today. Hmmm. Comes in a very fine gatefold, and my copy has the "war bond". This was inserted into early copies, and was good for "$1 off for 2 tickets" through Dec. 1973. That sounds trivial today, but concerts didn't used to cost so much, so $1 was a reasonable coupon.

Source: 1971 United Artists (LP)

8/18/21 (review)

Deliver the Word (1973)

After hearing the instrumental opener 'H2 Overture' I thought I was in for a monster of a session. 'In Your Eyes' is a strong follow-up, and this is exactly what I look for in a Latin-tinged funk soul album. Things begin to slip on 'Gypsy Man' which is a fine composition, but there's not enough here to justify its 11+ minute length. 'Me and Baby Brother' is what I would consider the signature sound of War, which isn't necessarily what I like about them most. 'Southern Part of Texas' recalls 'Gypsy Man' to an extent. The title track is the highlight of Side 2 and is a sweet song. 'Blister' is an atmospheric closer. Deliver the Word doesn't live up to the promise of its beginning, but it's definitely a keeper. 

Former ownership: 1973 United Artists (LP). Die-cut textured cover. Acquired in 2021. Downsized in 2026.

3/29/21 (review)

9/6/25 (new entry)

Mofoya ~ USA ~ Hawaii

Send a Message (1979)

Mofoya's sole album is an amalgam of styles covering everything from ferocious jazz rock to sweet soul and disco. To be clear, it is primarily a fusion album, but the other styles mentioned add spice to the dish. Flute and guitar are your primary instruments. Tracks like A4 and B3 are beautiful instrumental acoustic guitar and flute pieces, offering up the sounds of the island vacation you expect from Hawaii. Only to be destroyed by the Mahavishnu Orchestra style of A1, B4, and especially B2. B1 and B5 have some boogie down disco fusion, whereas A2 is sweet soul with fine female vocals. There's also references to the psych funk sound throughout.

I see Send a Message often labeled as a progressive rock album, but I don't hear it myself. It sends the wrong message so to speak. This is distinctly an American type of music that we often hear from the late 70s. Groups taking more simple styles to a higher art. Anyone who enjoys the CTI sounds of the 70s will enjoy this. Maybe even more so given some of the violent guitar on display.

On the back cover, the band name is stylized as MoFoYa.

No reissues exist as of 6/17/25.

Ownership: 1979 Kona Gold (LP)

6/16/25 (acquired / review)

Mandrill ~ USA ~ Brooklyn, New York

Composite Truth (1973)

I'm much more familiar with Mandrill's fourth effort Just Outside of Town, but this predecessor has a familiar pattern to that title. A unique mix of funk, soul, prog, and Latin rock. 'Fencewalk' is one of their most known compositions and is also one of the highlights of the album. Great heavy guitar too. Parts of 'Golden Stone' could have been lifted right off The Yes Album. 'Moroccan Nights' is their standard soft instrumental to close the album and is stunningly beautiful. I'm not too fond of the calypso based 'Polk Street Carnival' but the rest is aces. 

Ownership: 1973 Polydor promo (LP). Gatefold.

2008; 5/16/15; 7/2/19; 8/30/24 (review) 

8/30/24 (new entry) 

Dewey Terry ~ USA ~ Los Angeles, California

Chief (1972)

From the two dollar table and this might prove to be my unexpected favorite new discovery of the last record show (still plenty to go). Chief is a very eclectic album and much of it is not of interest to me. It's a mix of soul, jazz, blues, rock, and funk. Dewey Terry is from Los Angeles but this LP was released on the short-lived Tumbleweed label up the street in Denver, which is probably why I found it. Starts off in soul territory before moving into a rocker that reminded me of Jim Croce of all people. Things get much more interesting on 'Funky Old Town', before the album offers the two tracks that insist you pay attention (totalling close to nine minutes). 'Suit for the Cat' (not credited on the back cover) is an excellent instrumental jazz rock piece featuring Terry on electric harpsichord. This is followed by the album's best cut 'Do On My Feet (What I Did In The Street)'. Featuring a killer funk groove with great guitar and Hammond organ, this track will get you on your feet alright. It's what the hipsters would call a banger. Side 2 picks up the same tune and leads into a commercial about a chicken farm - in Nashville, Tennessee! Que?  B2 and B4 are sleepy blues tracks. 'Sweet as Spring' is a very nice soft rocker with a sweet melody. And finally the album closer has a great rural rock mid section and solos that remind me of Culpeper's Orchard. So, as you can see, the album is all over the place and very inconsistent. But there's a lot of great here to be found. Combine that with being somewhat local to me - I'm keeping it.

Ownership: 1972 Tumbleweed (LP). Promo. This is some cover, I'll tell you that. It's meant to emulate a classroom notebook. Inside is notebook paper filled with recording details written in pencil. You need to be a member of Mensa to figure out where the LP is supposed to be stored. Surprising a record like this isn't worth hundreds of dollars. Guessing there's always been plenty of supply.

4/11/24 (review / new entry)

Sade ~ England

Diamond Life (1984)

A few stories emerge as I listen to Diamond Life for the first time. Some of these songs were ubiquitous in my early years of college. 'Smooth Operator', 'Your Love is King', and 'Hang On To Your Love' were all major hits, and that's exactly how Diamond Life opens. They had the perfect 1984 sound for smooth jazz / soul, that's for sure. It's these same three hits that appear on The Best of Sade, a CD I bought for my wife not long after we were married. So I heard these songs even more than usual, having popped the CD in the car changer for long road trips together. As mentioned before, she tired of her collection, but I stashed it away for later. Now she's asking for those CDs again (I knew she would). 

Sade - which is really a group - were at their best when they laid down a mean groove. So in addition to the above three, tracks like 'When Am I Going to Make a Living' (sounds like my Mom!) and 'I Will Be Your Friend' are other highlights. Speaking of my mum, she has the exact same name as Sade's mother! Way too funny. I'll have to tell her that. Her response will be "Who's Sade?". Well she is 82... So this was part of the 42 piece thrift find two weeks ago. Interestingly enough, I had found it at another thrift at the same time that I bought the Saracho album. There was another guy who showed up going through the records, and we got to talking. He said he was looking for Sade for his girlfriend. I showed him what I found, and it was obvious he was telling the truth. So I let him have it instead, figuring I'll probably find it again later. And fortune favors the kind, as not only did I find it again, but it's the original UK version! Yaay. 

And now for the final story. This is crazy, but many of you may have known this when I wrote what I'm about to share. But I truly did not. "Now this has to be the damnedest album I've picked up in some time. Marvin Gaye... brings along Jimmy Smith on organ... with a drum machine... and plays the music of Sade... in 1972." That would be my scratch off notes for Timmy Thomas' Why Can't We Live Together album. That same song closes Diamond Life! What I thought was a coincidence, ended up being a major influence. No doubt in my mind that primary songwriter Stuart Matthewman knew all about Timmy Thomas. Talk about the key ingredient in your secret sauce! So there it is. I'll be keeping this album, that's for sure.

Ownership: 

1984 Epic UK (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 2021.

Epic (CD). Booklet with recording details. Acquired in 2024.

1985 Portrait (MC). Acquired in 2026.

6/28/21 (review); 3/11/26

Other albums I own and need to review: Promise; Stronger Than Pride

9/19/23 (new entry)

Amnesty ~ USA ~ Indianapolis, Indiana

Free Your Mind: The 700 West Sessions (1973 / 2007)

What I said about Apple and the Three Oranges can apply here as well, this time though we’re in Indianapolis. However, in this case, I was tipped off to this archival album upon release. I was told it was very much like Funkadelic. There’s some of that here for sure, but this is more serious, and the funk is lighter and scarcer. Again, soul music plays just as much a role, something that I’m embracing more as I get older. Whereas I dismissed the opportunity to buy it originally, today it makes more sense (especially since it’s being sold at a deep discount). And as with the above, Now-Again is to be commended for the excellent historical research.

Ownership: 2007 Now-Again (CD). Poster booklet with liner notes and photos. Acquired in 2023.

2008; 2010; 2015; 3/17/23 (review) 

4/19/23 (new entry)

Apple and The Three Oranges ~ USA ~ Los Angeles, California

Free and Easy (1970-1975 / 2013)

I had little interest in these kinds of compilations until I started digging into the 45 world in the last four years, especially the soul genre. Apple and The Three Oranges were from the Los Angeles area and represented the optimism yet angst of the American black experience at that time. Today all these 45s go for a small fortune as few were pressed, and those that were didn’t survive. For me, the allure of these titles lies in the funk, and there’s plenty of that to digest here. There’s also quite a bit of crooning soul, something I’m not likely to ever adopt as I have no foundation. Brilliant CD package. I still don’t have too much of this kind of music in the collection, so there’s room to grow.

Ownership: 2013 Now-Again (CD). Liner notes and photos.

3/17/23 (acquired / review / new entry)

MFSB ~ USA ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Universal Love (1975)

---1/14/16

Well I'm hardly the world's foremost disco fan, but doggone if this album from Philadelphia's MFSB isn't infectious as they get. The first three tracks are fine mirror ball numbers, and represent the genre well, but nothing extraordinary. Things get to be very interesting on 'Love Has No Time and Place', with flute, Moog, sax, electric piano, echoplex guitar, cool strings, and soaring female chorus vocals. It's cool in that French school sort of way, like Cortex or the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band. And then there's 'K-Jee', a 5 star masterpiece if there ever was one, and for my tastes, one of the greatest songs of the entire disco movement. Also I'd say it's the single best song on Saturday Night Fever as well (quite astute of the producers to include the track honestly). 'My Mood' is awesome too, sweet and mellow. Captures the mood perfectly, per the song title. Overall, as good an example of the disco style as you can possibly hear.

---12/23/22

And that review sticks the landing. Especially the three tracks I called out. 'K-Jee' was already two years old when it managed its way onto the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. It's important to remember that MFSB isn't just a part of the Philly Sound - they are the Philly Sound. They backed up all of those great soul acts of the 70s on the Philadelphia International label.

Mostly Mother Father Sister Brother sounds like easy listening music with a repetitive beat. But not so on this album, which has way more edge. 

Ownership: 1975 Philadelphia International (LP). Gatefold

11/21/07; 12//08; 1/14/16 (review); 12/23/22 (update)

Love is the Message (1973) 

I had the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack on my mind (which I recently posted on), and tend to forget that MFSB is very affordable. I'd heard this album before and placed a "good" rating on it (see above for another album that I rate "excellent"). Well, I'm afraid to say, my original rating is correct. It's amazing just how "corporate" this sounds. This isn't edgy Philly ghetto music that's for sure (if you do want that, definitely seek out Del Jones' Positive Vibes). Honestly these guys aren't that far removed from what Andre Kostelanetz or Bert Kaempfert were doing in those days. All instrumental easy listening music I would submit. Though for sure MFSB is a better name than Gamble-Huff and their Orchestra. The album has its moments, in particular the closer 'Bitter Sweet'. But, yea, this was an unnecessary pickup for sure.

Source:  1973 Philadelphia International (LP)

7/3/21 (review)

12/23/22 (new entry)

William DeVaughn ~ USA ~ Washington D.C.

Be Thankful For What You Got (1974)

While in the process of checking the vinyl condition, I had a Timmy Thomas moment and went "wait! what?". And proceeded to drop it into the listening bin. A few evenings later, here we are. Starts off with a fine groove in 'Give the Little Man a Big Hand' which sums things up from a philosophical lyric perspective. BTW, this is one of those albums where the back cover doesn't match the track order. About a third of Be Thankful For What You Got is a bit too soulsy-stringsy for me, "all we got-ta do-ooo is love one an-other". Yea OK, the data isn't too good on that front, but I'm in if you are. Apparently the title track was a minor hit in its day, which explains the multiple pressings of the LP. It's also one great tune. But the killer for me is A3 'Blood is Thicker than Water'. Same kind of feeling as the title track and A1 opener, until about half way through, it goes into this deep groove of organ, congas, and some delicious fuzz guitar soloing. Oh goodness me, this is a keeper for sure.

Ownership: 1974 Roxbury (LP). Acquired in 2021.

3/8/21 (review)

12/10/21 (new entry)

Timmy Thomas - Why Can't We Live Together. 1972 USA-Florida

Now this has to be the damnedest album I've picked up in some time. Marvin Gaye... brings along Jimmy Smith on organ... with a drum machine... and plays the music of Sade... in 1972. And that's just the first track. Talk about an album that you have to keep listening to. Twilight Zone stuff here.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Glades. Gotta love thrift shops. This one came from one in Wyoming. Yea.

The Albert ~ USA

The Albert (1970)

And the award for most confusing discography goes to.... The Albert! Two albums, both self-titled, same year, and on the same label. Yea, that makes it easy to research.

The Albert definitely fall on the soul-jazz / pop side of the horn rock equation. But there's some really fine horn charts, hard guitar, and organ that separate this one from the pack. Also check out the well done sax and trumpet solos. So not the best the genre has to offer, but fans of same will want to investigate.

Former ownership: 1970 Perception (LP). Acquired in 2010.

12/17/10; 2/13/14 (review); 9/18/18 (new entry)