Released: March 1971
Good news, bad news situation here.
The good news is that this was the best Rascals album since Groovin’ (A).
The bad news is that this was the worst selling Rascals album ever reaching #198 on Billboard’s album registry in 1971. And using the word “reaching” is a reach in this scenario. Billboard only tracks the top 200 selling albums on any given week, so “reaching” #198 is pretty awful.
More bad news: this was the last Rascals album for Atlantic Records. Their final two albums would be released on Columbia Records. Might explain the commercial failure here since record labels don’t always go out promoting albums of artists soon to leave the company.
The final bit of bad news was this was the final Rascals album to feature both Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish. Eddie left prior the album’s release while Gene left shortly after.
The album’s inside fold is a poignant shot of the three then-remaining Rascals seated with Gene holding his arm around an empty spot and a pair of shoes indicating where Eddie oughta be.
Things would never be the same for the gang. But we move ahead…
The album opener is “Right On” which gets more mileage out of its lightly funky New Orleans groove than you might first imagine. I mean it opens up sounding like a carnival. The song grows on you like mold on month old bread, though.
“I Believe” is some soft, glowing soul featuring backing vocals from Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney) and Tasha Thomas. It’s a song that really makes you feel good as Felix sings about mountains, birds, and trees. Definitely presages the copious environmental sangin’ on Peaceful World.
“Thank You Baby” delivers some slow heavy soul. Not that far off from Aretha Franklin’s contemporaneous Spirit in the Dark. “You Don’t Know”, written by Gene, is delightfully mellow country-rock as Eddie gives his final great vocal performance with the band.
An unexpected treasure then flows forth with Dino’s “Nama”. Finally, the band gets a purely jazz piece right! There’d be more to come on their Columbia LPs.
Mellow goodness continues on “Almost Home”, which is sleepy in the best way possible. Oh! Just thought of the right word: it’s a lullaby. “Ready for Love” continues the warm vibes as Felix sings “I’m a little bit older, I’m a little bit wiser” and the Brigati brothers croon enthused-yet-sedate backing vocals.
Okay here’s an avenue I wish that the Rascals had gone done further… “Fortunes” is some fine power pop. The effervescent, religious jammer was written by Dino.
The Sweet Inspirations stop by to lend backing vocals on the faux gospel “Glory Glory”. It’s kind of a mess and wastes the guest stars’ talents.
The cover of “The Letter” isn’t bad, but it’s a misfire. The original by the Box Tops is a quick burst of pop energy clocking in at 1:58. This version stretches out to a melodramatic 4:10. I suppose the fellas wanted to try their hand at Isaac Hayes style transformations of short pop songs? Well, they failed. Such is life.
Anyways, I still like it better than “Glory Glory”.
ALBUM GRADE: B
I’m really mad at “The Letter” and “Glory Glory” for dropping this down from a B+ to a B. At least the good news is that the worst song is the last song on the album, which means you can listen to the all good stuff and then just cut it off like “Glory Glory” doesn’t exist.
Song Scores
Right On: 8/10
I Believe: 8.5/10
Thank You Baby: 7.5/10
You Don’t Know: 8.5/10
Nama: 8.5/10
Almost Home: 8.5/10
The Letter: 6/10
Ready For Love: 7.5/10
Fortunes: 8/10
Glory Glory: 4/10