This is Weldon Irvine's 1976 album, the last of his three for RCA. I can't believe major labels were touching this kind of stuff back then (where has the music industry gone?!). The title track is an emphatic opener, fusing funk, jazz and rock into a cohesive burner. Don Blackman joins Irvine on the album, adding a welcomed vocal presence. It's funny, 10 years ago I'd be skipping the vocal tracks, but now those are the ones I'm looking for first. Check out the seven minute monster "Music Is the Key." Think cosmic jazz meets Donny Hathaway in heaven. In my book, this is reason enough to buy the record. "I Love You" is not as progressive as "Music," but it's a solid soul ballad in the mode of Marvin Gaye. "Do Something For Yourself" is another pick here, with female-sung chorus and upbeat funk swagger. Also includes covers of Stevie's "Don't You Worry About A Thing" and Marvin's "What's Goin On." 8 tracks in all, nice sounding 180g MOV pressing, recommended.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• originally released in 1976
• music label: Music On Vinyl 2019

reviewed by the mgmnt 12/2006