GLADYS
KNIGHT & THE PIPS - IMAGINATION
A
pivotal album for Gladys Knight and group – as the record features their
super-huge hit "The Midnight Train To Georgia", a landmark track that
not only had a catchy pop hook, but which spoke volumes about African-American
migration in the postwar years. The track's one of those you've heard a million
times, but it's got a strength that still holds up tremendously. Part of this
is due to great production work by Tony Camillo – who handled arrangements and
studio work on about half the tracks – and part is due to Jim Weatherly, who
wrote the song, and about half the others on the album. The whole album's great
– one of the best Buddah Records moments for the group – and titles include
"I've Got To Use My Imagination", "Window Raising Granny",
"Where Peaceful Waters Flow", "Once In A Lifetime Thing",
"Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", and "Storms Of Trouble
Times". Includes four bonus tracks – "Midnight Train To Georgia
(single)", "Midnight Train To Georgia (inst)", "Midnight
Train To Georgia (short version)", and "Window Raisin Granny
(single)".~ Dusty Groove
DEE
DANIELS – STATE OF THE ART
Excellent
work from Dee Daniels – a singer who's been on the scene for more than a few
years, but who really seems to be hitting her stride these days! The set's got
Daniels sounding tighter and more focused than ever – working with an excellent
small combo that features Eric Alexander on tenor and Cyrus Chestnut on piano –
both players who help bring a bite to the music that really seems to pull a lot
out of Dee's vocals! The set is actually the first-ever vocal session for the
Criss Cross label – but feels like some lost set of soulful jazz from years
back – the kind of set that some of the better indies used to give us back in
the 80s and 90s, but which so few seem to be able to deliver these days. Dee's
great throughout – on the money, and really able to bring new life out of
familiar tunes that include "Summer Wind", "He Was Too Good To
Me", "Almost Like Being In Love", "Lover Man", and
"Why Did I Choose You". ~ Dusty Groove
GLORIA
JONES – VIXEN / WINDSTORM
A pair
of overlooked albums from Gloria Jones – the woman who's probably best known
for her original version of "Tainted Love", or for her relationship
with Marc Bolan – but who's a heck of a great talent on these 70s albums too!
Vixen has Jones working with Bolan in the studio, but has a feel that's nicely
old school, especially for the time – a vibe that almost hearkens back to 60s
Motown with its arrangements and overall presentation, but with some slight 70s
touches too. Gloria's vocals really come out strongly with this approach – on
titles that include "Stage Coach", "I Ain't Going Nowhere",
"High", "Tell Me Now", "Cry Baby", "Get It
On (parts 1 & 2)", and a remake of "Tainted Love". Windsong
is an excellent set, too – more contemporary, but still mighty nice!
Arrangements are by producer Richard Jones, as well as dancefloor maestro Paul
Riser – who helps give the record a similar groove to some of his other great
70s work from earlier years – that great soaring vibe that can really push a
singer like Gloria forward! The style's not really disco or club – just a
fuller, more upbeat approach to soul music that shows Jones stepping nicely
into adult modes. The album carries a dedication to her late paramour Marc
Boland – and titles include "Hooked On You Baby", "Woman Is A
Woman", "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me", "Windstorm",
"Bring On The Love", and "Blue Light Microphone". CD also
features a bonus track – "Simplicity Blues". ~ Dusty Groove
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