Vinyl playlist commences now!
First up is a band called Gamma, with their 1979 album Gamma 1. This is a hard rock album under the direction of Ronnie Montrose, whose first major band was the eponymous Montrose. Ronnie had broken up Montrose two years earlier, and in 1978 he issued the solo album Open Fire before forming Gamma.
Leading off Side One is a rousing glam-tinged rocker called 'Thunder and Lightning'. Pretty standard stuff for late-70's AOR, it's nonetheless well-performed and -produced (as most of the album would prove to be). Continuing this theme is the Clint Ballard Jr.-penned, Hollies-released 'I'm Alive'. Even with Gamma's sound, this track is a classic, and Gamma's rendition is worth holding on to. 'Razor King' comes next, with a darker and edgier (pun intended) ballad about a street gang thug who fights the law, and well, the law wins. Long and moody but well-paced, it fits well. Finishing up the side is 'No Tears', which I think is a breakup song. Despite its upbeat mood and tempo, it's about leavin' when the lovin' runs out. 'Run With The Pack' by Bad Company would find good company in this last track.
Opening side two is 'Solar Heat'. Spooky wind to begin and end, and a neat instrumental in between, with all of the titular warmth. But before the wind dies down, we're shifted - and hard - into the fast and subtly menacing 'Ready For Action'. Thumping and aggressively paced, it's a great rock-out moment. This gives way to the introspective and dark 'Wish I Was'. If you need a sad song, this will do the trick. Last but not least is the rollicking and aggressive 'Fight To The Finish' (it's all there in the title).
Overall, the album is a pretty good artifact of late-70's AOR arena rock. Good, if typical guitar work makes this a good listening experience. I would slip some of the brighter gems into the mix, for further listening. I'm skeptical as to how the album would hold up under repeated listens, given its common sound. I still recommend Gamma 1 to fans of Styx, Bad Company, Peter Frampton, and the like.
Next is a 1978 LP called Rose Royce III: Strikes Again! I'd expected a hair metal band from the cover. Boy was I wrong. Rose Royce turned out to be a soul/funk group I'd never heard of. Not a bad sound, at first impression. The lead track is a party and dance song called 'Get Up Off Your Fat'. I'm not even kidding. It still made me smile, and it's got a classic beat, eve as it shifts into 'Do It, Do It' without a break. Also danceable. 'I'm In Love And I Love The Feeling' has a very light, mildly romantic feel to it. 'First Come, First Serve' is a funky breakdown, but not much else. 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' finishes up Side One, and was the hit single from the album. A breakup song, some moody strings in the background and a soulfully down mood make for a real classic.
Flipping over, we next hear 'Angel In The Sky' and 'Help', two soulful pieces of slow pop. The difference being that, according to the liner notes I overlooked when I freeloaded the disc from Dave's, that 'Angel In The Sky' was sung by Gwen Dickey, while 'Help' could either be Kenny Copeland or Kenji Brown. 'Let Me The First To Know' keeps the easygoing soul sound and pace, with more of a romantic lyric this time. For a rousing finish, the band rolls out on 'That's What's Wrong With Me', a loud party track to wake up the neighbors with (with which to wake up the neighbors). Really good vibe, good beat, and some awesome guitar work from the aforementioned Kenji Brown.
Turns out that this band was a frequent vehicle for the songwriting of legendary Motown producer Norman Whitfield, and the album was issued on Whitfield's own label, created after leaving Motown's employ. If the name Rose Royce sounded familiar to you, they performed 'Car Wash' and 'I Wanna Get Next To You' from the 1976 movie Car Wash. Not a bad album for fans of disco, 70's soul, and R&B in general.
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