Smoke...Risen'

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Album Review by Trakbuv

“Move over O’J’s, Spinners and Temps. The fire may be comin’, but ‘Smoke’ is here” boasts the sleeve notes. This heralds the male quartet’s first and only album, ‘Risin’. The ensemble consisted of Ernest and Arthur Malone, Melvin Manning and Larry Brown, all hailing from Kansas City, and all very capable of taking centre stage. If only for this reason, the opening claim holds some water. Personally, the band come across as a blend of many premium soul groups of the day, with the Ebonys and Impressions coming to mind.

The material is a nice cross-section of mid-70’s soul, all composed (with the exception of the final track) by Elmer Overton, who also co-produced the sessions with Les Matthews. I am unfamiliar with either personnel, but the arranger, one Benjamin F Wright, Jr, is renowned for his sympathetic support of many top acts, including the Chi-Lites, Dells, and the Temps. Backed by prominent Chicago session musicians (Burgess Gardner, Don Myrick, John Bishop, Vince Willis, etc), the recording has a very competent, not overly-polished sheen. Very very nice indeed.
The strength for me in the recording is the diversity of sounds on offer. There is ‘I’m so glad’ with a captivating two-step arrangement and vocal reminiscent of Leroy Hutson, the lead also giving the more bouncy ‘You will always’ a commercial edge. Then we have a glorious falsetto with incredible clarity exhibited on ‘Now you’re gone’ and ‘Don’t take your love’. And we also have a tenor with a gruff edge that the Ebonys would have enjoyed. He drains every strand of his vocal chords with his expressive charge in the sombre, organ-lead ‘I’m so lonely’, an 8 minute opus, and the similarly toned ‘Make believe’, with some mighty fine harmonies. Also special mention to ‘Have I really lost you’ as possibly the best vocal showcase for the group.

Curiously, my favourite track, the lilting ‘Rainy Night’, boasting a warm, engaging falsetto, is apparently on a Smooth Jazz CD by Donald Harrison entitled ‘3D vol.1’. Completely misplaced, it has accredited the artist to Elmer Overton, its composer and producer.


SMOKE...RISEN'



SMOKE...I'M SO LONELY

[Edie Antoinette]

LOL!!! Yep..I was so happy to see her.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

My Grandma Numba 7 is here.....SMILE

[Edie Antoinette]

Awwww, thank you Sole. You see my Mommie joined and it cracked me UP remembering the gang at The Impala. They were all a hoot! Momma lived right next door and we could look out of her sunporch window and see better stuff than any movie! You could see the back of the tavern and they would be ALWAYS having a wang dang doodle back there!!!!

Momma can tell some stories about it!!! Maybe she will in the Blues Group...LOL!!!!! One of her cronies was "Dusty Pete" and another one named Rabbitt...ROFLMBO What a cast of characters...

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

This is just wonderful....SMILE

[Edie Antoinette]

Here's 2 albums: Smoke-Risin' and Soul Singers Of The 60's--Enjoy!

[Edie Antoinette]

I'm going to take the playlist off of autoplay so it won't detract from your blog.

[Edie Antoinette]

You're Welcome Baby. Anytime.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

WOW....Thank you Mama Edie, this is niceeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Edie Antoinette]

I sowwy! LOL!! To make up for my terrible error I atone with this gift. The complete album downloads! The LP sells for $267--very rare indeed! Just right-click the buttons and "save link or target as" --Enjoy!

1. play Smoke — A1 - I Can Feel Your Love
2. play Smoke — A2 - I'm So Glad You Came Along
3. play Smoke — A3 - Rainy Night
4. play Smoke — A4 - Cream Of The Crop
5. play Smoke — A5 - I'm So Lonely
6. play Smoke — B1 - Have I Really Love You
7. play Smoke — B2 - Now You're Gone
8. play Smoke — B3 - You Will Always Be A Part Of Me
9. play Smoke — B4 - Don't Take Your Love
10. play Smoke — B5 - Make Believe

Tracks
A1. I Can Feel Your Love 3.17
A2. I'm So Glad You Came Along 2.55
A3. Rainy Night 3.13
A4. Cream Of The Crop 2.23
A5. I'm So Lonely 8.21
B1. Have I Really Love You 2.51
B2. Now You're Gone 2.23
B3. You Will Always Be A Part Of Me 3.14
B4. Don't Take Your Love 4.23
B5. Make Believe 3.49

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Larry gonna get you....ROFLMBO