Album: Summer of Soul ( … Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised…)
Artist: Various Artists
Release Date: January 28, 2022
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Favorite Tracks:
- “Uptown” by The Chambers Brothers
- “Why I Sing the Blues” by B.B. King
- “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine” by The 5th Dimension
- “Oh Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins Singers”
- “It’s Been a Change” by The Staples Singers
- “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by The Operation Breadbasket Orchestra & Choir feat. Mahalia Jackson
- “Sing A Simple Song” by Sly and the Family Stone
- “Are You Ready” by Nina Simone
Thoughts:
While this new album dropped last week, it contains the soundtrack to 2021’s best documentary Summer of Soul, and was recorded in the summer of 1969 at The Harlem Cultural Festival. The crew that restored these songs have done a great job of capturing the dynamic performance of the artists as well as the raw energy of the crowd. The 5th Dimension may be considered hokey, but they totally kill it with the support of the Harlem fans. David Ruffin hits high falsetto notes in “My Girl” that soar above the thousands watching that day. And whether its gospel from The Edwin Hawkins Singers, rock from Sly and the Family Stone, or a revolutionary chant from Nina Simone, the people are there to sing along.
Rating: *****
Panorama of the Mountains 