LP Review: Soul Master and 25 Miles
SOUL MASTER
Released: 1968
LP Charts: nada
Soul Master isn’t a proper LP since it’s essentially a collection of singles released over the previous several years. However, that does mean that Edwin Starr gets a cheat code on his debut as he submits the best album of his career right off the jump.
“Agent Double-O-Soul” (#8 R&B, #21 pop) leads off the album and it was Starr’s first hit way back in 1965. Musically it’s an above-average Northern Soul effort, but what makes it a superb track are the ridiculous lyrics. Great novelty value here.
For my money, the top track is “Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)” (#9 R&B, #48 pop). The hooks are galore: male backing vocalists doing chiming “sending, sending”, female backing vocalists chirping “hey hey hey”, and a piano playing Morse code. Starr himself gives a charming performance even if he somehow gets lost amidst everything else.
So the above may be the highlights, but there’s a sturdy amount of solid tunes.
“I Am The Man For You Baby” sounds like it has the Originals on backing vocals and it’s a solid, Sunday afternoon R&B song. “Oh How Happy” lives up to its title with a light, crisp sound. “My Weakness Is You” has shades of “Going to a Go-Go” with its rumbling drum intro. “Headline News” tries to replicate the magic of “Stop Her On Sight”. An unsuccessful, but pleasant attempt.
And it wouldn’t be classic Motown album without covering classics from other Motown artists. The Miracles’ “Way Over There” gets the honors here.
ALBUM GRADE: B-
Solid debut from Starr. Only two songs really leave their mark on you, but there’s a fair number of enjoyable songs. And the even weakest stuff is still average at worst.
Song Scores
Agent Double-O-Soul: 8/10
I Am The Man For You Baby: 7/10
Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.): 8.5/10
Oh How Happy: 7/10
Way Over There: 6/10
My Weakness Is You: 6.5/10
Headline News: 7/10
Soul Master: 6/10
I Want My Baby Back: 5/10
Love Is My Destination: 6.5/10
I Am Your Man: 5/10
Time Is Passin’ By: 6/10
25 MILES
Released: 1969
LP Charts: #9 R&B, #73 pop
“Twenty-Five Miles” (#6 R&B, #6 pop) sounds good on the radio, but is an absolute menacing floor-filler in the club. I know. I KNOW. I have danced my ass off to this song. So many beautiful memories of cutting the rug.
After that brass-filled, bass-rumbling jammer, Starr puts out a gritty yet svelte ballad: “I’m Still A Struggling Man”. You read right. During the verses it’s largely a glossy ballad, but during the chorus Starr and the instrumentation gets a little tough and rough on the edges.
After that rough sweetness, we get some proto-disco with the gossamer “Soul City (Open Your Arms to Me)”. Yet, there be some lackluster duds here. The cover of “You Beat Me To The Punch” has ultra basic production. As does “If My Heart Could Tell The Story”. Not bad, just clearly uninspired Motown product.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Just a couple standout songs and a whole lot of going through the motions.
Song Scores
Twenty-Five Miles: 8/10
I’m Still A Struggling Man: 7/10
Backyard Lovin’ Man: 6.5/10
He Who Picks A Rose: 5/10
Soul City (Open Your Arms to Me): 7/10
You Beat Me To The Punch: 5/10
Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love: 6/10
Pretty Little Angel: 5/10
If My Heart Could Tell The Story: 5/10
Who Cares If You're Happy Or Not (I Do): 6/10
24 Hours (To Find My Baby): 6/10
Mighty Good Lovin': 5/10