Customer Reviews

Very Best of New Birth

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4 star:		(3)
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This CD is the bomb, I takes me back to a time when partying didn't mean having to be strip searched to enter the party. If you've never heard of The New Birth before, this is a very good place to start. Songs like "Got To Get A Knutt", "K-jee" bring back such fun, happenin' times in my life. And lets not forget the orgasmic "It's Been Such A Long Time" among other songs on this CD. I didn't forget to mention "Dream Merchant","Wildflower or the other excellent tunes on this CD, if you want to know more about this CD, BUY YOUR OWN.

I can't front - I absoloutely adore New Birth. In my eyes (and heart, and pelvis, and feet...) I just feel New Birth were an outstanding band of versatility, musicianship and showmanship, and on this project, 'The Very Best of the New Birth Inc. - Where Soul Meets Funk' those skills are displayed to perfection. The song choices mainly focus on the groups more soul-inflected tunes, with a few turn-offs into their forays of funks ( for those choice cuts, I recommend this volume's companion 'The New Birth Inc. - Greatest Funk Classics'). Things get started with 'Comin' From All Ends', a solid track with a crisp beat and the vocals of Leslie Wilson at the fore. But it is not until the second track ('K-Jee') that we start getting into the stuff that made this crew of musicians such a force in the 1970's live soul circuit. One of my favourite instrumentals of all time, the genius of Charles Hearndon's playing is in full-effect, accompanied with solid drum and bass work, keeping the skeleton of the track intact so the the call-and-response vibe of the horns playing off the guitar reaches a climax with the scorching sax solo at the end courtesy of founding member Tony Churchill. There are so many moods in the journey of this album. Up next is the pop standard 'It's Impossible', with the girlish vocals of Londee Wiggins paired next to the artistry of Bobby Downs (a very competant and highly slept on vocalist). Peop the ambience created due to well-felt addlibbing of the background voices. 'How Good It Feels' finds Londee becoming more assured in her delivery. The pacing is spectacular, and the shouts care of Tanita Gaines mid-way creates a great round-up, with sound effects and all (check it - you won't be disappointed!). Ann Bogan takes over the reigns for the gospel fare of the Gladys Knight hit, 'I don't want to do wrong'. All I can say is - WOW. The same feel follows into 'You are what I'm all about', with a good backbeat and some luscious female voices creating an intimate choir feel extolling the virtues of true love (secular or non, you pick). We get back into the love-making groove with 'Keep On Doin' It', with the chorus giving us a quick respite into the groove zone. But than that becomes the dominant vibe for the blues of 'Afro-Strut' and the highly humurous mess of 'Got To Get A Knutt'. New Birth definately had aspirations to extend themselves into psychedelica, with the latter track displaying that to awesome effect. For evidence (ironically), you will have to listen closely to the end arrangements of some of their biggest pop moments :) The album returns to the soul dimension for the closers of 'It's Been A Long Time', 'Wild Flower', and the beautiful urban- themed ballad 'Do It Again', which I wish was not edited but alas, what can one do but write a review at Amazon musing on it? Last words? An excellent addition to any soul archive or to a beginner's collection respectively. (Props to A. Scott Galloway for well-written and informed linear notes. More pics!).

The New Birth, Inc. was one of those bands that just came out at the wrong time. During the 70's there were just too many great groups out there, and New Birth just didn't get their recognition. But any fan of old school R&B, and great harmony, should fall in love with this album. Songs like "Its Impossible"; "How long has it been?"; "Wildflower"; and "I can understand it" really demonstrate the vocal talent and musical ability of this great band.

as a major old school funkhead I recommend this for serious classic soul collectors you can't go wrong here as new birth was one of the funkiest groups on god's greeen earth nuff said.

No group has ever been better at redoing other artists material than New Birth. From Wildflower (Skylark), to I Can Understand It (Bobby Womack), Dream Merchant (Jerry Butler), and Until it's Time to Go (Buffy St Marie), New Birth consistantly outdoes the originals. Plus, any album with It's Been A Long Time on it is automatically worth buying.

This is TRULY a "Best Of" collection in that is has all of the REALLY good stuff from the New Birth all together in one package, especially "Dream Merchant," Wildflower," "Been a Long Time " (frontman Leslie Wilson sounds like James Brown with a slightly better voice on this one), "You Are What I'm All About" (today's rap fans will recognize this as the inspiration for Biggie Smalls' "Player's Anthem"), etc. But hey, if you are a fan of the New Birth, 70s Soul, or just GOOD music in general, no more needs to be said about this one, just BUY it!

The only thing missing from this CD was the great feel and covers the NEW BIRTH's actual albums had... they tended to flow from tune to tune and always have an integrated and "spiritual" like concept. Often, one side would be Jazzy and mellow and another totally raw and party like - - their albums were definitely experiences in themselves, though this is a great introduction.

The compilation includes some cuts from the group when they were known as THE NITE LITERS, an ULTRA hardcorre funk outfit, and moves on through their 70's soul and funk and later Jazzier years... of course it includes their BIG hit K-Jee...
though I think one of the highest point's is Leslie's BAD-*ss Bobby Womack impression on I Can Understand It, only with a tighter booty shaking rhythm section than Bobby had (sorry Bobby... you're still the KING ! ! !)

Though there are a few tunes that definitely don't represent their BEST work... admittedly, because of the flowing trippy nature of their albums, perhaps it was hard to really frame a lot of their material as individual hits... still... lot's of great stuff on this album... and it definitely demonstrates their incredible versatility... One minute they can be funking out HARD... yet they could also do sweet and mellow soul better than anyone else (check out DREAM MERCHANT).

Video floats around of their appearance on SOUL TRAIN, but I pray that one day more footage will surface, they also had a great look... great rhythm section - - and some wonderfully produced hits... you could really LISTEN and trip out when listening to their albums !

This is the collection that is a 'must have' for any New Birth fan! Wildflower, It's Been a (such a) Long Time, and the best of all: Dream Merchant! Five Stars for Dream Merchant (a remake by the way - Jerry Butler did it first - but not best - no slight against Mr. Butler, I have his 'Greatest Hits' too!!) The price is right, get your copy!! Five stars!

Okay, I first heard the song "Until it's time for you to go!" on the Alabama A & M University radio station, they use the song to sign off for the R & B show. For like six months I've been trying to figure out who sang this song without any luck...and when I tried to sing it to people to see if they could tell me, the song didn't sound like the song at all. The last time I heard the song on the radio was December 05 and I've been sad...finally tonight 3/23/06 they played it...I almost tripped over my shoes trying to run into my bedroom to tape the song. After I taped the song I spent another 2 hours trying to find out who sang it! Low and behold it's the NEW BIRTH! Buy this CD cause that song is the Jam! UNTIL IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO is the best song on here in my opinion!

If you are a huge fan of this band then you gotta get this CD! All your favorite New Birth jams are digitally remastered for fantastic sound quality. There is a great CD booklet that explains the band's history and about the music they made! This band was unique with a unique sound that kicked butt! Make sure you get the correct remastered version that has UPC code 07863-66732-26