Cold Blood - Sisyphus

Sisyphus -- Cold Blood's second release for Bill Graham's San Francisco label -- was a shift to a more aggressive and decidedly funkier sound. Taking their cues as much from James Brown's J.B.'s as from their Bay Area contemporaries and labelmates Tower of Power, Sisyphus is a much more cohesive and concentrated effort compared to their 1969 eponymous debut. The infusion of strong original material certainly did not hurt either -- as five of the disc's six tracks are credited as original band compositions. From the opening edgy/up-tempo instrumental "Shop Talk," the change in Cold Blood's direction is evident. This extended jam showcases the entire ensemble -- sans vocalist Lydia Pense -- including the band's latest addition, Sandy McKee (drums/percussion). The track also features notable assistance from original Santana bandmember Chepito Areas (congas/timbales). The driving rhythms are punctuated by the three-piece brass section, whose contributions are infinitely less obtrusive, especially during the dramatic segue into "Funky on My Back" -- one of Cold Blood's most definitive compositions. Highlighted by Pense's dramatic and sensual vocals, the track recalls the laid-back, soulful style of their first album. Another throwback is the slightly gospel-influenced cover of "Your Good Thing" -- originally performed by Stax diva Mable John -- which also features background vocals from the Pointer Sisters. The second half of Sisyphus consists of up-tempo groovers "Too Many People," "Understanding," and "I Can't Stay," which is not only the hardest-rocking track on the disc, it also features a lead vocal from percussionist McKee. The song actually comes off sounding like an early Santana cut rather than anything else on the album. This probably has to do more with the frenetically inspired fretwork of Larry Fields than the absence of Pense. In 2001 the Collectables label reissued Sisyphus -- along with their first self-titled album -- as part of two LPs on one CD set. Although the release is marred by sloppy mastering, it is recommended as the only place to hear much of these albums. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

1.	Shop Talk
2.	Funky on My Back
3.	Your Good Thing (Is About to End)
4.	Understanding
5.	I Can't Stay
6.	Too Many People

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Cold Blood - Cold Blood

Cold Blood was one of the Bay Area's non-psychedelic contributions to pop music in the late '60s and early '70s. Their R&B-influenced combination of rock, blues, and jazz stood out from the guitar-driven acid rock bands most identified with that scene. After establishing themselves at dancehalls such as the Avalon or Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom, Cold Blood became one of the first acts signed to Graham's Fillmore record label -- which was named after another one of his venerable venues. Their 1969 self-titled debut -- although somewhat contained in comparison to their live shows -- is a good representation of their soulful, horn-driven funk. One of the major reasons for the band's success is the unadulterated and otherwise raw vocal style of Lydia Pense. The album features a mixture of dramatic ballads -- such as the medley of "I'm a Good Woman" and "Let Me Down Easy" -- as well as full-blown R&B rave-ups on the cover of Sam & Dave's "You Got Me Hummin'" or their freewheeling version of "I Just Want to Make Love To You." Keyboardist Raul Matute's contribution, "If You Will," is a perfect vehicle for Pense's vocals as it glides between licks from lead guitarist Larry Fields and the five-piece brass section. Inevitable comparisons have been made between Pense, Janis Joplin, and Lynn Hughes -- of another San Fran rock and soul combo, Stoneground. However, there is a smoky scintillation to Pense's approach -- particularly potent on the gospel-tinged opener, "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" -- that is downplayed or altogether lacking from her contemporaries. This intangible quality would become increasingly pronounced and evident on Cold Blood's follow-up LP, the classic Sisyphus(1971). In 2001 Collectables reissued this album along with Sisyphus as part of two LPs on one CD collection. Although marred by sloppy mastering, it is recommended as the only place to hear this album in its entirety. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

1.	I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
2.	If You Will
3.	You Got Me Hummin'
4.	I Just Want to Make Love to You
5.	I'm a Good Woman
6.	Let Me Down Easy
7.	Watch Your Step

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David Matthews & The Electric Birds - Cosmic City

Keyboardist and arranger David Matthews did this album in 1980 for King Records, the all-star cast includes David Sanborn, Mike Mainieri, Jeff Mironov, Cliff Carter, Mark Egan, Allan Schwartzberg, Sammy Figueroa, Frank Floyd, Zak Sanders and Babi Floid.

1. Cosmic City
2. Show Me How You Make It Sexy
3. Lonely Promises
4. Good Time
5. First Blood
6. American Road
7. I Didn't Mean To Hurt You
8. Special Delivery

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Gene Dunlap - It's Just the Way I Feel

There's no denying drummer Gene Dunlap's résumé -- stints in support of Grant Green and Roy Ayers are the funk equivalent of earning Ph.D.s from Harvard and Yale -- so it's little surprise that his debut LP, It's Just the Way I Feel, is such an effective and engaging listen. Dunlap's operating well outside the jazz sphere, however, and despite some obvious fusion-inspired moments, this is first and foremost a straight-up soul album, with a strong balance between slick, dancefloor-ready groovers and heartfelt ballads. Most impressive is the handful of tracks featuring the Ridgeways, an all-girl vocal trio whose sexy harmonies mesh perfectly with Dunlap's crisp, supple rhythms. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

A review from Dusty Groove
An excellent fusiony soul album on Capitol, recorded and released during the crucial years of the "Capitol Rare" sound! Gene Dunlap is a jazz drummer at heart -- but he's got a flair for the modern soul song, and in the same style as Norman Connors or Harvey Mason before him, he manages to put together a strong record of grooves and ballads from behind the kit! The strongest point of the record is work by The Ridgeways, a female soul trio who sing on the best tracks, giving them a smooth Jones Girls-ish kind of sound. The album includes two modern soul classics -- "Before You Break My Heart" and "It's Just the Way I Feel" -- plus "Love Dancin", "Rock Radio", "I Got You", and "Surest Things Can Change".

1. Intro
2. Rock Radio
3. Before You Break My Heart
4. I Got You
5. Love Dancin'
6. It's Just the Way I Feel
7. Should I Take Her Back, Should I Let Her Go
8. Surest Things Can Change

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