Josiah Reynolds's Album Reviews
A continuation in sound rather than a clear progression; Free Your Mind ends up sounding not too dissimilar to the band's equally as freaky debut. It's not at the same quality as that phenomenal album (it's much shorter, for one), but it's still some super out there funk that can't be missed.
The title-track, with its heavy focus on jamming and a repeated mantra of the song’s title, initially sounds like nothing but A-melodic nonsense, but with repeated listens the musicianship starts to stand out and it’s a total trip.
The next two tracks are a little more grounded, but still have some fantastic instrumental flexing and are bloody funky. The fourth, 'I Wanna Know If It's Good to You', has a decent vocal melody that fairly quickly makes way for some more stellar organ and guitar playing that lets your mind slide into psychedelic bliss. Speaking of which, organist Bernie Worrell is all over this album and lends greatly to its unique sonic signature. Likewise, Eddie Hazel's electric guitar soars across the stereo soundscape (there is some crazy stereo panning on this album) and he even provides some really under-appreciated vocals. Seriously, the guy should've sung more. Tiki Fulwood also perks the ear with his interesting drumming and Billy Nelson is a very solid bassist. In other words; the musicianship all across the album is amazing, and the moments where they're free to flex their muscles without driving a lead vocal melody are the best moments on the album.
I'll be honest; the final track 'Eulogy and Light' doesn't sit well with me. The subversion of Biblical scripture conflicts with my beliefs and I'm not certain of the intention behind it. In general it just has an uncomfortable feel to it as well. I'm not offended by it, I just don't personally want to listen to it. Sorry to bring personal beliefs into things, and it means I'm not judging it fairly, but I can't help the way I feel, and so I always skip it.
Nevertheless, this album steadily grew on me in a big way. I highly recommend it. It's like a party on LSD, and has become one of my favourite albums to get into the mindset of music over matter.
-9/10
The title-track, with its heavy focus on jamming and a repeated mantra of the song’s title, initially sounds like nothing but A-melodic nonsense, but with repeated listens the musicianship starts to stand out and it’s a total trip.
The next two tracks are a little more grounded, but still have some fantastic instrumental flexing and are bloody funky. The fourth, 'I Wanna Know If It's Good to You', has a decent vocal melody that fairly quickly makes way for some more stellar organ and guitar playing that lets your mind slide into psychedelic bliss. Speaking of which, organist Bernie Worrell is all over this album and lends greatly to its unique sonic signature. Likewise, Eddie Hazel's electric guitar soars across the stereo soundscape (there is some crazy stereo panning on this album) and he even provides some really under-appreciated vocals. Seriously, the guy should've sung more. Tiki Fulwood also perks the ear with his interesting drumming and Billy Nelson is a very solid bassist. In other words; the musicianship all across the album is amazing, and the moments where they're free to flex their muscles without driving a lead vocal melody are the best moments on the album.
I'll be honest; the final track 'Eulogy and Light' doesn't sit well with me. The subversion of Biblical scripture conflicts with my beliefs and I'm not certain of the intention behind it. In general it just has an uncomfortable feel to it as well. I'm not offended by it, I just don't personally want to listen to it. Sorry to bring personal beliefs into things, and it means I'm not judging it fairly, but I can't help the way I feel, and so I always skip it.
Nevertheless, this album steadily grew on me in a big way. I highly recommend it. It's like a party on LSD, and has become one of my favourite albums to get into the mindset of music over matter.
-9/10
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