Rotary Connection - Black Gold: The Best of Rotary Connection
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Rotary ConnectionEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2006-04-17
Music Label: Universal UK
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- Magical World
- Amen
- Rapid Transit
- Turn Me On
- Respect
- Pink Noise
- I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun
- A-Muse
- Sunshine Of Your Love
- Sursum Mentes
- Memory Band
- Didn't Want To Have To Do It
- May Our Amens Be True
- Tales Of Brave Ulysses
- The Sea & She
- Hey, Love
- Song For Everyman
- Love Is
- The Salt Of The Earth
- Love Has Fallen On Me
- If I Sing My Song
- The Weight
- The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
- Living Alone
- Love Me Now
- Want You To Know
- I Got My Mojo Working
- This Town
- We're Going Wrong
- Life Could
- Teach Me How To Fly
- V.I.P.
- Let Them Talk
Free Music Notes for Black Gold: The Best of Rotary Connection
Free Music Review: Minnie Riperton's beginnings...
Hit: 5 Stars
The Rotary Connection may not ring a bell with very many people today but drop the name Minnie Riperton it will more than likely elicit a response. One of the best vocalist of the 19th century Riperton, in the her short time on this plane, was noted for her five octave range. A skill that would later be utilized by Mariah Carey in a more brash way. The difference, however, is that Riperton was not only an r&b musician her compositions encompassed folk, rock, funk and disco. Her earlier ventures and experimentation began with the Rotary Connection, a group of adventurous Chicago musicians that were a product of the experimental 60's. Under the guidance of young Chess label head Marshall Chess they drew from all sources of music like many groups of the time. Part 5th Dimension, Jefferson Airplane, Sergio Mendes and Brasil `66 and part Beatles, they wholly took advantage of everything they had around them incorporating swirling chamber strings, sitars, vocal harmonies and playing with the output of speaker channels. If the music described sounds very cinematic add to that Minnie's voice which on the first outing was utilized as more of an instrument. It is believed that had they played Woodstock instead of taking a festival in Toronto for more pay they would have broke out of obscurity. Never achieving the iconic status they deserved they disbanded after five albums. Eventually Sidney Barnes would go on to record solo and Minnie would make her Rotary influenced and overlooked classic "Come To My Garden". After finding success she would eventually succumb to cancer at the early age of thirty one.
Their music did not fall on deaf ears as thirty years later hip hop artist and dance music artists would appropriate their music for a new generation. Most notably Nuyorican Soul would remake `I am the Black Gold of the Sun', The Fugees and Tribe Called Quest would sample from `Memory Band' for `Killing Me Softly' and `Bonita Applebaum' respectively. Chaka Khan would remake `Love Has Fallen On Me' and Common would borrow from it for his track 'Driving Me Wild'. Giles Peterson dug out the Riperton classic `Les Fleur' for his INCredible DJ mix and 4Hero would remake the song and expand on it by extending the instrumentation and bringing in Carina Andersson to channel Riperton vocally. With no less than thirty three reasons to convince you why group was more than deserving of success this collection takes a pretty in-depth look at their eclecticism.
The opening track `Magical World' relates their mantra. As Riperton's vocal rides rousing strings and harp, a hi-hat and horns keep time while Minnie chronicles her vision of nature, peace and acceptance. Its a utopian place where she declares "anyone I want to love I love and no-one cares". No doubt a reference to Minnie's love for band mate and future husband Richard Rudolph who was caucasian. The band's racially diverse line-up was quite unique and ahead of its time as the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Another stand out is the remake of Otis Redding's `Respect' which is so mellow and smooth it's practically unrecognizable until the chorus comes in. There are other band members taking lead and Sydney Barns turns in a great performance on `Didn't Want To Have To Do It' and `The Sea And She' with a voice akin to a soulful Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance. Vocalist Judy Hauff is brilliant on `Love has Fallen On Me'. They do a great cover of Cream's `Tale of Brave Ulyses'. Going on and on about the songs is a mute argument if you see this double disc set it's worth every penny*. Just listen. There is some of the best pop/psych/rock/folk/soul music has to offer...shaken not stirred.
Black Gold: The Best of Rotary Connection Poster
Not your typical psychedelic pop record, this was the brainchild of Marshall Chess (son of Chess Records founder Leonard), who wanted to take the Beatles' innovations of classical instrumentation, phenomenal production values, and crazy experimentation to their extreme. He assembled a very talented team: arranger and composer Charles Stephney went on to tremendous success with Earth Wind & Fire; band member Sidney Barnes was soon to work with George Clinton; and backup singer Riperton would later make her name as a solo artist. The arrangements rely heavily on choral singing, plus organ and strings, and occasional sitar, theremin and tabla: no guitars to speak of. The record integrates classical methods better than anything else going on at the time. This album will definitely be of interest to students of '60s psychedelia. Universal. 2006.Pop Music CDs
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