Customer Reviews

Mirror

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

 

 

MIRRORS is the 4th GCS album, and often overlooked. This one starts off solid, but wavers on the later songs; making it just shy of what they'd done on the first 3 albums. Many feel this is the last decent GCS album, with the next 2 falling off into medocrity. When spoken about, this album always brings up Larry Graham's gospel songwriting. Having made a point of including at least one Gospel song on every album, and even centering on the church with albums like RELEASE ME; he simply continues with more of the same here. Anyone who hadn't noticed that Jesus was in their groove before, just wasn't paying attention to the GCS formula of oddball musical intros and interludes, coupled with bone breaking funk, searing guitars solos, goofy singalongs and undisguised Gospel sweat breakers. If there is a single group that preceeds Prince in the rockin' mother funk style it's Graham Central Station; which is even more obvious when you know that Prince picked Larry Graham for his own NPG record company. The first three tunes will shake your soul as well as the amazing "Save Me.' If you're feeling the Gospel groove, finish up with the more ethereal "Forever;" any best of GCS compilation would have to include most of these. Those who didn't notice the Good Lawd in GCS before, were just to busy shakin their money maker.

I've been waiting, for so long. I've be waiting, to play these songs, for long.... Anyway, when I was young and hanging out with some of the Breakwater band, and Louis Johnson, we would listen to THIS GCS album imparticular. Why? because it is Larry in his best voice for one, but also, the tunes are all winners. It's one of those rare recordings where everything worked. There is not a song here that can't stand on its own. It's amazing throughout--which is why it's so hard to find (even the expensive disc version (all discs are J/Imp). This is, however, something of a sleeper, that is, many people found a few of the other GCS albums in their collections because I think they were marketed better (but most marketing for R & B was pretty lame in the 70's and 80's--that's why very few people really knew much about Breakwater, GCS, Tapastry, and so many of the other killer bands that went belly up long before the product life was burnt out). Try looking for this on ebay--you will spend $25 to $35 for it, but you will be glad you did--trust me on that. In fact, I will buy all the Mirror discs that are bought and disliked (but, don't play me to the left, burn it and then say "man, this is really bad." God don't like ugly!). But, if you wait a while, some will show up here. It's not a really super rare disc.

This album was to coincide with my vinyl album of the same. The CD even had a bit on Larry's father, which the album didn't. The CD arrived in excellent condition - all is good!

It's funky style is delivered with an inspirational and religious message intertwined in the timeless groove of funk-masters such as Sly Stone, Parliament, and Funkadelic.

Mirror is surely one of my favorite GCS albums. As stated by the previous reviewer Larry Graham is in very fine voice here and there is a very gospelly groove going on.The synth instrumental "Forever" is a very strong track that often gets overlooked along with this great set from one of the greatest funk bands that there ever will be. Grab it up while it's still available.