Customer Reviews

Magic Journey

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

 

 

If the group had not been labeled "a disco band", The Salsoul Orchestra may have had a longer "shelf life". Like Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, the ensemble was a group of highly skilled musicians that just happened to be associated with the carefree days of Studio 54, platform shoes, and the hustle.
"Magic Journey" did not sell well because of the diversity of the selections offered. The band was just trying to show that it could do more than disco. The collection of songs here is varied, featuring the typical music of the era to tracks suitable for a concert hall.

Examples of the former are: "It's a New Day", "Run Away" (a disco gem with leads vocals from diva Loleatta Holloway), and a dead-on-the-money interpretation of Earth, Wind, & Fire's "Fantasy". On the classical side, there is a wonderful medley paying homage to the '76 Olympics.

Also, "Alpha Centuri" possesses a similar sound as exhibited by T.S.O.P., another group of musicians responsible for backing the likes of The O'Jays and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.
The group gets into a playful mood with re-workings of two popular classics, "Guantanamera" and "Short Shorts".

Inasmuch as music, like much of popular culture, goes in cycles, maybe The Salsoul Orchestra, in some form or another, will rise, as the phoenix, from the abyss of obscurity.

Until that time, I'll just pull out the vinyl and wax nostalgic.

Terrific mid-70's dance/R&B but not a dated sound at all. Great instrumentals and vocals, expecially by Lolita Holloway. If you like dance, and can appreciate the early disco music, this is a great CD.

Another great CD release from the Salsoul label on Unidisc.

The track listing on Amazon appears to be incorrect though..... the correct track listing is as follows:

1. It's A New day - 3.00
2. Short Shorts - 3.08
3. Run Away (Album Version) - 4.44
4. Guatanamera - 3.43
5. Themes from the Montreal Olympics, 1976 (Farewell Song & Ballet Of The Closing Ceremnony) - 5.14
6. Getaway - 4.17
7. Magic Bird Of Fire (Album Version) - 5.01
8. Journey to Phoebus - 4.41
9. Alpha Centauri - 5.20
10. Run Away (Danny Krivit Re-Edit) - 8.36
11. Magic Bird Of Fire (Firebird Suite) (AKA Walter Gibbons Remix) - 8.04

Stand outs are certainly the brilliant 'Run Away' and the down right funky 'Getaway'. The Danny Krivit Re-edit of 'Run Away' is the 12" version we never had and the album is worth it for his Re-edit alone...

This was great to be able to get some quality music from back in the day. Music doesn't get played like this anymore. CD quality excellent. Whoever sold it to me, thanks.

Buy it for the gem, Alpha Centuri, a beautiful melody making wonderful use of strings with a slight beat background, plus full orchetra sound. What more could you ask for. Plus for the nice uptemp "Brand New Day" which is also inspiring with its lyrics. It makes you happy.

Un CD verdaderamente entrañable para los amantes del sonido disco. Arreglos excelentes, muy típicos de la Salsoul Orchestra. Es un trabajo muy recomendable que refleja toda una epoca.