Graham Central Station - Release Yourself (LP 1974 Warner Bros - CD 2008 Warner Bros-Japan) - Rare Soul/Funk (FLAC 222MB)

Larry graham was the Bass Guitar player for Sly & The family Stone throughout their hit making years before breaking away and forming Graham Central Station. They released 12 studio albums between 1974 & 2012...After a tentative but promising  debut album, Graham Central Station returned the next year with a head-spinning blend of R&B styles that realized their promise in a truly impressive fashion with this album mainly funk based. It drew the attantion of the UK Northern Jock,s for their uptempo version of the Detroit Emerald,s classic "Feel The Need"...Release Yourself touches on everything from gospel music to psychedelia, as the band puts forth an impressive set of songs that strike an effective balance. This time, keyboards carry a new level of importance,songs like "G.C.S." and "I Believe in You" flow forth on elaborate keyboard riffs layered with plenty of spacey synthesizer leads. The album's most impressive achievements are the title track, a pulse-pounding tribute to the joys of self expression that combines churchy organ riffs and stately horns over a furiously paced bass/clavinet rhythm, and "Tis Your Kind of Music," a psychedelic funk masterpiece that has Patryce "Chocolate" Banks and Graham trading sultry lead vocals over an otherworldly blend of keyboard and Mellotron riffs with a fluid bassline. Another stunner is "Release Yourself" a workout that starts with a slowly-woven tapestry of keyboard riffs before launching into a cosmic vocal section that underscores the group's choral harmonies with some fiery guitar leads. Nothing on this album is less than interesting thanks to stellar arrangements and the group's obvious love for what they do, sly,s influence is their throughout. The result is a true gem that is a treat for funk fanatics and a required listen for anyone with a serious interest in Graham Central Station.

AMM

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