Black Gold: The Best of Rotary Connection [IMPORT]

Rotary Connection

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 2006)
• Original Release Date: March 14, 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal UK
• ASIN: B000E6ETDO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,081 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Not your typical psychedelic pop record, this was the brainchild of Marshall Chess (son of Chess Records founder Leonard), who wanted to take the Beatles' innovations of classical instrumentation, phenomenal production values, and crazy experimentation to their extreme. He assembled a very talented team: arranger and composer Charles Stephney went on to tremendous success with Earth Wind & Fire; band member Sidney Barnes was soon to work with George Clinton; and backup singer Riperton would later make her name as a solo artist. The arrangements rely heavily on choral singing, plus organ and strings, and occasional sitar, theremin and tabla: no guitars to speak of. The record integrates classical methods better than anything else going on at the time. This album will definitely be of interest to students of '60s psychedelia. Universal. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minnie Riperton's beginnings..., January 4, 2008

By	mondo (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

The Rotary Connection may not ring a bell with very many people today but drop the name Minnie Riperton it will more than likely elicit a response. One of the best vocalist of the 20th century Riperton, in the her short time on this plane, was noted for her five octave range. A skill that would later be utilized by Mariah Carey in a more brash way. The difference, however, is that Riperton was not only an r&b musician her compositions encompassed folk, rock, funk and disco. Her earlier ventures and experimentation began with the Rotary Connection, a group of adventurous Chicago musicians that were a product of the experimental 60's. Under the guidance of young Chess label head Marshall Chess they drew from all sources of music like many groups of the time. Part 5th Dimension, Jefferson Airplane, Sergio Mendes and Brasil `66 and part Beatles, they wholly took advantage of everything they had around them incorporating swirling chamber strings, sitars, vocal harmonies and playing with the output of speaker channels. If the music described sounds very cinematic add to that Minnie's voice which on the first outing was utilized as more of an instrument. It is believed that had they played Woodstock instead of taking a festival in Toronto for more pay they would have broke out of obscurity. Never achieving the iconic status they deserved they disbanded after five albums. Eventually Sidney Barnes would go on to record solo and Minnie would make her Rotary influenced and overlooked classic "Come To My Garden". After finding success she would eventually succumb to cancer at the early age of thirty one.
Their music did not fall on deaf ears as thirty years later hip hop artist and dance music artists would appropriate their music for a new generation. Most notably Nuyorican Soul would remake `I am the Black Gold of the Sun', The Fugees and Tribe Called Quest would sample from `Memory Band' for `Killing Me Softly' and `Bonita Applebaum' respectively. Chaka Khan would remake `Love Has Fallen On Me' and Common would borrow from it for his track 'Driving Me Wild'. Giles Peterson dug out the Riperton classic `Les Fleur' for his INCredible DJ mix and 4Hero would remake the song and expand on it by extending the instrumentation and bringing in Carina Andersson to channel Riperton vocally. With no less than thirty three reasons to convince you why group was more than deserving of success this collection takes a pretty in-depth look at their eclecticism.

The opening track `Magical World' relates their mantra. As Riperton's vocal rides rousing strings and harp, a hi-hat and horns keep time while Minnie chronicles her vision of nature, peace and acceptance. Its a utopian place where she declares "anyone I want to love I love and no-one cares". No doubt a reference to Minnie's love for band mate and future husband Richard Rudolph who was caucasian. The band's racially diverse line-up was quite unique and ahead of its time as the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Another stand out is the remake of Otis Redding's `Respect' which is so mellow and smooth it's practically unrecognizable until the chorus comes in. There are other band members taking lead and Sydney Barns turns in a great performance on `Didn't Want To Have To Do It' and `The Sea And She' with a voice akin to a soulful Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance. Vocalist Judy Hauff is brilliant on `Love has Fallen On Me'. They do a great cover of Cream's `Tale of Brave Ulyses'. Going on and on about the songs is a mute argument if you see this double disc set it's worth every penny*. Just listen. There is some of the best pop/psych/rock/folk/soul music has to offer...shaken not stirred.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth It!, May 14, 2009

By	Cara Wallace (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

I grew up in the seventies and listening to this album was just like going back in time and listening to the radio again. Psychedelic rock with Minnie in the background doing stuff they use synthesizers for now and a lead singer with the highest falsetto I've ever heard. Smooth, inventive, soft rock, soulmusic; if you like enigma, bliss, travis, etc, you will like this album. Re-discover the wonder that was Rotory Connection and let your mind flow.