This two-for-one reissue combines the
Genesis (1972) and
Friction (1974) LPs onto one CD.
Genesis is a respectable record that, even more than many
Stax albums from the late '60s and the early '70s, has a substantial gospel influence. Gospel was an influence in just about every soul record, of course, but you really hear it with this quartet, especially in the opening eight-minute cut,
"I Want to Be Loved." The mood is funky but a bit more low-key and subdued than was the case on many such LPs of the time, which is a plus; it makes it stand out from the crowd a little. The presence of different male and female lead singers, and shared leads within the same song, also gives it some welcome variety, even if the group didn't have what it took to be considered among the top tier of soulsters, either in terms of vocals or material.
J. Blackfoot's hoarse, scratchy leads -- like a muted mixture of
James Brown,
Otis Redding, and that ilk -- provide the most distinctive voice. And it's his lead that paces
"Hearsay," the album's upbeat hit single that pushed it to number five on the R&B and to the middle of the pop charts.
Friction is a slicker, sweeter, and less satisfying outing than
Genesis, although it did include their biggest hit,
"I'll Be the Other Woman." A little daring for the radio in that it acknowledged an adulterous affair, it was also something of a departure for
the Soul Children -- putting
Shelbra Bennett in the spotlight as lead vocalist when
J. Blackfoot had tended to have the most visible leads.
Bennett was also lead singer on the less impressive single
"Love Makes It Right," a small R&B hit that concludes the record. In the interim there are lush ballads that get into icky sweetness (
"What's Happening Baby") and some more uptempo, funky thangs. The best of the lot is
"Can't Let You Go," which smolders a bit, thanks to the grainy lead vocal (presumably by
J. Blackfoot) and the subtle wah-wah guitar. ~ Richie Unterberger
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