Criminally Overlooked Albums
disco75 | State College, PA United States | 01/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These lps from 1971 and 1972 represent Detroit Emeralds' peak work. The group created in these albums a sound that was both uptown and down-home: they combined an urban sheen with southern soul. The tracks have pulsing rhythms; great harmonies; clean, layered but not over-produced arrangements that included brass, and occasionally string, flourishes. If a listener is unfamiliar with the sound of the Detroit Emeralds, it might be said that they were less glossy than the Philly sound of the day, less pop-oriented than Motown, less ethereal than early 70s Marvin Gaye. The Detroit Emeralds had a grittier, bluesier, soulful sound more akin to the work of the Dramatics or Al Green.
The group had four Top 10 hits on the R&B singles charts, most from these two albums. The albums are very strong and consistent-- I recommend them over the greatest-hits collections that draw heavily on these two releases anyway. By way of background, the Detroit Emeralds started out as a group of four brothers; by 1970, they were down to two brothers-- Abram and Ivory Tilman were joined by James Mitchell. Their backing band was Chapter 8. In 1977 Abram Tilman was the sole original member, and James Mitchell departed to form the Floaters. The new line-up released a 1977 album that was far weaker than the two albums reviewed here, and in fact it contained a reworked, unnecessary version of their best track, "Feel The Need In Me." Another album in 1978 was equally forgettable, with the exception of the storming dance number "Let's Get Together." By far, their best line-up of singers and songs is contained in the two albums on this disc."
A great double album CD set by a great rock group.
disco75 | 07/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Almost all the titles have tremendous rhythm and mood. The cut "Feel the Need in Me", in my view, is one of the great rock tunes ever recorded.The stereo duplication is terrific. I highly recommend these CD's to any fan of rock and soul.One caution: put on your headphones; the neighbors will flood your home to listen if they hear these cuts over your speakers!"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1