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Before the rise of the Average White Band in the mid-'70s, the most successful blue-eyed soul unit was Rare Earth (although the Spencer Davis Group was also quite popular). Influenced by Sly & the Family Stone and the artists of Motown as well as '60s rockers like the Kinks, Rare Earth had a distinctive sound and offered some of the most exciting music of 1969-1973. The Detroit outfit didn't fare as well among black audiences as AWB; Earth recordings that soared to the top of the pop charts only went to number 20 or number 30 on the R&B charts (probably because Earth was much more rock-influenced than AWB). At any rate, this gem-filled CD illustrates just how Earth could be. Spanning 1969-1978, The Very Best of Rare Earth boasts such essential hits as "I Just Want to Celebrate," "Get Ready" and "I Know (I'm Losing You)." If much of the material reminds you of Norman Whitfield's work with the Temptations, and Edwin Starr, it's no coincidence; Earth often worked with the great Motown producer/songwriter. In fact, "Hum Along and Dance," "Big John," and "Ma" are among the most rock-influenced recordings that Whitfield ever produced. But at the same time, Earth was much too funky for some rock programmers. "Warm Ride" (1978) finds the band being produced by the Bee Gees and taking a stab at disco; the results are decent, though not nearly as strong as its earlier work. Most of the material, however, isn't simply decent, it's excellent.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
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SMOKEY ROBINSON, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1970 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Eddie Holland, ComposerLyricist - Norman Whitfield, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Cornelius Grant, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1970 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1970 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Zesses, ComposerLyricist - DINO FEKARIS, ComposerLyricist - Tom Baird, Producer - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1971 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Stewart Levine, Producer - Nick Zesses, ComposerLyricist - DINO FEKARIS, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer - Norman Whitfield, Producer - Frank Wilson, Producer - Tom Baird, Producer - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1971 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ray Charles, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1972 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Zesses, Producer - DINO FEKARIS, Producer - Tom Baird, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1972 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Zesses, ComposerLyricist - DINO FEKARIS, ComposerLyricist - Tom Baird, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1972 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Norman Whitfield, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1973 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Barrett Strong, ComposerLyricist - Norman Whitfield, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1973 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Norman Whitfield, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, MainArtist
℗ 1973 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Stewart Levine, Producer - John Ryan, Producer - Norman Whitfield, Producer - Frank Wilson, Producer - Tom Baird, Producer - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist - Frank Edward Wilson, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1974 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Barry Gibb, ComposerLyricist - Robin Gibb, ComposerLyricist - Maurice Gibb, ComposerLyricist - John Ryan, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Rare Earth, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1972 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John D. Loudermilk, ComposerLyricist - Rare Earth, Producer, MainArtist
℗ 1969 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
Before the rise of the Average White Band in the mid-'70s, the most successful blue-eyed soul unit was Rare Earth (although the Spencer Davis Group was also quite popular). Influenced by Sly & the Family Stone and the artists of Motown as well as '60s rockers like the Kinks, Rare Earth had a distinctive sound and offered some of the most exciting music of 1969-1973. The Detroit outfit didn't fare as well among black audiences as AWB; Earth recordings that soared to the top of the pop charts only went to number 20 or number 30 on the R&B charts (probably because Earth was much more rock-influenced than AWB). At any rate, this gem-filled CD illustrates just how Earth could be. Spanning 1969-1978, The Very Best of Rare Earth boasts such essential hits as "I Just Want to Celebrate," "Get Ready" and "I Know (I'm Losing You)." If much of the material reminds you of Norman Whitfield's work with the Temptations, and Edwin Starr, it's no coincidence; Earth often worked with the great Motown producer/songwriter. In fact, "Hum Along and Dance," "Big John," and "Ma" are among the most rock-influenced recordings that Whitfield ever produced. But at the same time, Earth was much too funky for some rock programmers. "Warm Ride" (1978) finds the band being produced by the Bee Gees and taking a stab at disco; the results are decent, though not nearly as strong as its earlier work. Most of the material, however, isn't simply decent, it's excellent.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:56:17
- Main artists: Rare Earth
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UNI - MOTOWN
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 1998 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. This Compilation ℗ 1998 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
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