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From the Vault...
06/08/2008
#1102 |
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info
Bloodstone
"Natural High"
© Rhino Records
Year of Release: 1972
Rating:
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track listing
You Know We've Learned
Who Has The Last Laugh Now
Peter's Jones
That's The Way We Make Our Music
Damn That Rock 'N' Roll: Bo Diddley/ Diddley Daddy
Natural High
I Need Your Love
Tell It To My Face
Ran It In The Ground
Never Let You Go
Girl (You Look So Fine)
Judy Judy
Sadie Mae
Take These Chains
You Don't Mean Nothin'
Little Green Apples
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Bloodstone "Natural High"
Bloodstone's song "Natural High"< is featured on one of the volumes of
Rhino's Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Soul Hits of the 1970s. It's one of the
best soulful ballads from the early 1970s, a song that may not be as remembered as
other popular ballads from this decade, nor the band's name. After listening
to this particular hit, I was curious in learning more of this band, as Natural
High was the title track of their 1972 album.
The first track, "You Know We've Learned" has a soulful, almost Latin feel.
For the romantic soul from the 1970s, "Who Has the Last Laugh Now" is a very
soulful ballad, definitely having the 1970s Soul sound. "Petey's Jones" is an
upbeat 1970s Soul sounding tune, compared to another band popular from the early 1970s,
War. Speaking of, War's Platinum Jazz comes to mind on the slow ballad tune
from Bloodstone, "Who Has The Last Laugh Now."
"That's The Way We Make Our Music" is another upbeat number, and can be
compared to many of the other popular Soul artists of the day, such as The Isley
Brothers, The O'Jays, The Spinners.
"Damn That Rock 'N' Roll: Bo Diddley/Diddley Daddy" is a tribute to
the rock legend, (who just recently passed away [June, 2008]). This song has the
Soul sound, compared to the likes of Sly & The Family Stone. "I Need Your Love"
has a very upbeat, lively sound, and could be passed having a Motown sound. "Tell
It To My Face" in one word -- Funky. "Ran It In The Ground" slows the pace
down again; another Soulful slow ballad, compared to the likes of the Temptations, with
the high falsetto and tenor voices. "Never Let You Go" returns with the great
soulful medium tempo sound, compared to the popular Soul 1970s acts mentioned before in
this review.
The remaining six tracks are bonus selections: "Girl (You Look So Fine)"
has the Sly & The Family funky sound, "Judy Judy" is another Motown-sounding
song (Temptations), likewise "Sadie Mae." The groove is funky on "Take These
Chains," likewise "You Don't Mean Nuthin'". The last track is the O.C. Smith
classic, "Little Green Apples." Bloodstone's version is very good, and Collectors
Choice Music (http://www.ccmusic.com) just recently issued a Best Of Smith's music.
The soulful ballads are the standouts on Natural High, although it has
upbeat/funky numbers. Songs on this release are compared to many 1970s Soul acts,
such as The Temptations, Sly & The Family Stone, The O'Jays, The Spinners, War.
It is a good soulful release, and nice to discover a not-so-well-known band, who only
had 13 hits from their years together (1973-1984).
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