Search - Charles Wright & Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band :: Express Yourself: Best of

Straight stuff

Tyler Smith | Denver, CO United States | 03/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is straight-up-the gut, straight-from-the-heart late '60s, early '70s soul/funk from an underrated band that delivered the goods with little pretense. Charles Wright's astringent vocals mix with the band's punchy horns and scratching guitars to bring you back to the way it was.If you've seen the movie "Boogie Nights," you'll recognize one of the tunes from this set, "Do Your Thing," that made it into the film. That tune demonstrates as well as any Wright's powerful vocal style, taking a phrase and hammering it rhythmically until it takes on a life of its own. There are a couple of great funk instrumental workouts too: "Spreadin' Honey" and "65 Bars and a Taste of Soul." Makes you reflect that although the basis of all rock, soul, blues, funk, etc. is repetition, the effect doesn't need to be mindless or numbing. These guys found the groove but leavened it by mixing in a back beat.The key tune in the set for me, however, is a ballad, the minor 1970 hit "Love Land," which I'll freely admit takes me back to the days of teenage romance. It's an unabashedly sweet tune of innocence, and once again, I can't help but note how free it is of anger, hatred and misogynism.There are a couple of dated notes here, but overall this is a strong disc, and it's great to see Warner Brothers dig back in their archives for this material. Pick it up and remember how it was -- or find out what you missed."

Essential soul

Stephen Twelker | Portland, Oregon | 02/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is it, the music that set the stage for Parliament, the Bar-Kays, and all the other funk and groove bands that broke out in the 70s. If you've ever heard God on the One, thank James Brown, Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock, and these guys.



From 1967 until 1973, Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band made socially conscious, dangerously infectious music that would provide inspiration for future generations of soul bands and DJs. This compilation starts out with the still-fresh "Express Yourself", weaves through a litany of hooks, riffs and beats, and slows down only for a couple of tasteful ballads. Despite the fact that I've memorized nearly every track, this CD still finds its way into the player often, and certainly ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums."

Non-stop groove-a-thon

cheapmotelprods | New York City, NY United States | 04/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Highest recommendation. If you are a fan of of soul and the history of funk, then you have to go back to a source like Charles Wright. This album is sequenced nicely and hangs together perfectly, despite the tracks being from different eras (and different bands) in Wright's career. The title track alone makes this CD worth purchasing, with "Express Yourself" being one of those rare tunes that can hold up to repetition ad nauseum (it's been in Burger King commercials, et al) and I have to say, it's still a foot tapper every time those opening notes hit my speakers. The rest of the album alternates between lulling you with it's hypnotic grooves (In the Jungle), giving you a soul power work out (65 Bars...) and straight ahead clipped guitar pre-funk (90 Day Cycle People) making this one of those greatest hits CD's you don't just buy for one song, with the rest filler. Give it a try for a dash o' soul."