Customer Reviews

Free Your Mind: The 700 West Sessions

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had to stick up for this album since no one else has reviewed it yet. The lack of critical press for this album is puzzling, it is definitely some of the best music I have heard in a while. Egon from Now Again (subsidiary of Stones Throw) has done it again, unearthing a true gem that has Temptations style vocal harmonies set to hard funk and r&b. The music was recorded in 1973, but it contains a timeless quality which would sound fresh and exciting in any era. There is an urgency and energy to the music, from the socially concerned lyrics to the incredible instrumentation. Fans of L.A. Carnival or any other funk and soul groups need to check this out. Highly recommended.

I was blown away by this music. Ive purchased many, many, classic funk albums. But was not amused. But these guys are off the chain. The words, the instruments, just breat taking!!!!!!!


I just purchased L.A. Carnivals "I would like to pose a question". I hope it's as great as this!

So far this album has three reviews (mine the fourth) and all 5 star...
and based on what all of us have written, wouldn't that be a let down if all we're saying wasn't true?
Well... mark my word... each and every one of those 5 stars are amply deserved...
not only that... the cover art alone is so darn nifty looking... wish I was 80 lbs. thinner and they had
it on a t-shirt!

As for the band... really interesting... tight, bit experimental... Jazzy/black rock circa the early '70s (horn/guitar/rhythm driven) with one catch: slick gospel meets the Temptations type vocals (complete with the high falsetto and low baritone added) - - in between lot's of tight horn solos... - - oh, and really good (dare I say brilliant production/engineering (or atleast re-mastering) - - totally engaging album with lot's and lot's of edge... in some ways almost jungle funk version of Tower of Power.... that's to say incredibly danceable, yet at the same time some really tight in your face arranging...

If you've been following my reviews you've probably heard me rant and rave about Rasputin Stash and Black Heat... this one is right up there with them... shame I missed it. (If you like this, also check out MAGNUM's Revolver!) and RIPPLE.
Does it come any funkier than this...? probably not... but if it does, I'd like to know!

This is great funk jazz, which says nothing about this music. When people think of funk jazz, that can range from Jimmy Smith to some of the better Rollands band albums of the 90s.

The empahsis with Amnesty is funk, but it is funk with complex charts, long, sequatious introductions and many parts through a song. The title track is a great example, and one of the best tracks on the album. This is definately funk, but with an advanced jazz asthetic.\


Most of the other tracks on this are as gripping; the playing is just outragious and the singer is among the most soulful I have heard. (If these guys had been more streamlined, they would have been top 40, but I am glad they stuck to their creative impulses.) Not every piece hits a home run, and the album does tend to lose momentum in the middle, but even the lesser tracks are great, and the better ones make this a must have.

all of you funkers around - this is it! this is one of the best things you can get. if you relly love funk, you will bay this cd' now! dont even listen to the sempels - just bay it!

like minestrone soup to me. You might not like everything in it, but a grat flavor overall. Classic soul vocals with a funk tinge in some tracks. Could stand to be remastered, but a good purchase overall