Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
|
Product Description
Album Description
This stunning, 34-track compilation brings together the best tracks from their six albums released between 1967 and 1971 - including the group's career high point, I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun (notably covered by US producers the Masters At Work as Nuyorican Soul).
Also includes the original version of the Freelance Hellraiser's current club hit Want You To Know.
Packaged in a stylish Chess 'digi-pak' with new liner notes and photos.
About the Artist
Rotary Connection was essentially a multi-cultural concept group put together by Marshall Chess an attempt to freshen-up Chess Records' image, keep up with the times and spearhead his Cadet Concept subsidiary label. Their 'psychedelic chamber soul', featuring dramatic string arrangements and the stunning five-octave voice of Minnie Riperton, continues to sound ambitious and progressive decades after the group's departure.
Their profile was enhanced in the mid 80s and early 90s by Hip-Hop producers and DJs whose need for increasingly unusual 'breaks' led them to sample the group's work (look out for A Tribe Called Quest's plundering of the guitar part from Memory Band for the 1990 international hit Bonita Applebum).
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Rotary Connection was the brain child of Marshall Chess, son Of Leonard Chess who along with his brother Philip had founded Chess Records, home to blues luminaries like Howlin Wolf, Bo Didley and Muddy Waters. The band was an attempt to freshen up Chess's image and propel the label forward toward the zeitgeist of the times which in the late 60,s meant at least some psychedelic influence. Add to that the subtle percolation of soul, jazz and funk and electric bolts of rock and the music was a pretty heady brew. Even more so when adding Charles Stepney's ambitious string arrangements, exotic eastern instrumentation and the complex vocal arrangements from Sidney Barnes, Judy Hauff and the five octave range of the gospel influenced Minnie Ripperton .
This excellent compilation takes in 33 tracks from their six albums which saw the band go through numerous lines up changes, the two constants being Ripperton and Stepney. The best known track is the magical "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun" which was covered by Nuyorican Soul and is the reason that I, and possibly many others, became aware of this band. Stylistically the band veer from the multi-harmonics of "Amen" to the portentous brooding "Sunshine Of Your Love" to the simple acoustic beauty of "A-Muse" to the odd brief colourful ditty's like "Sursum Mentes". They do take the odd liberty with overbearing cartoonish sludge such as "Memory Band"( which incidentally A Tribe Called Quest sampled the guitar break for their hit "Bonita Applebum " which is fair enough as it's the one decent part of the song) or songs like "The Sea & She" in which they rather over stretch themselves. Rotary Connection were also not adverse to doing cover versions such as Hendrix's "The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp", Otis Redding's "Respect" and the some what bizarre interpretation of Creams "Takes Of Brave Ulysses". The bands superb version of "Song For Everyman" is the highlight of the covers.
After the bands final album in 1971,"Hey Love" was a commercial flop , which was something they struggled with all their career., the group disbanded with only Ripperton going on to achieve anything significant as a solo artist. Rotary Connection is one of those bands more appreciated posthumously than they ever were in their own time and their critical re-appraisal is well deserved. "Black Gold" is a fabulous way to make the acquaintance of this unique and under appreciated set of musicians. Theirs truly is, as the gloriously harmonic opening song says, "A Magical World".
This excellent compilation takes in 33 tracks from their six albums which saw the band go through numerous lines up changes, the two constants being Ripperton and Stepney. The best known track is the magical "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun" which was covered by Nuyorican Soul and is the reason that I, and possibly many others, became aware of this band. Stylistically the band veer from the multi-harmonics of "Amen" to the portentous brooding "Sunshine Of Your Love" to the simple acoustic beauty of "A-Muse" to the odd brief colourful ditty's like "Sursum Mentes". They do take the odd liberty with overbearing cartoonish sludge such as "Memory Band"( which incidentally A Tribe Called Quest sampled the guitar break for their hit "Bonita Applebum " which is fair enough as it's the one decent part of the song) or songs like "The Sea & She" in which they rather over stretch themselves. Rotary Connection were also not adverse to doing cover versions such as Hendrix's "The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp", Otis Redding's "Respect" and the some what bizarre interpretation of Creams "Takes Of Brave Ulysses". The bands superb version of "Song For Everyman" is the highlight of the covers.
After the bands final album in 1971,"Hey Love" was a commercial flop , which was something they struggled with all their career., the group disbanded with only Ripperton going on to achieve anything significant as a solo artist. Rotary Connection is one of those bands more appreciated posthumously than they ever were in their own time and their critical re-appraisal is well deserved. "Black Gold" is a fabulous way to make the acquaintance of this unique and under appreciated set of musicians. Theirs truly is, as the gloriously harmonic opening song says, "A Magical World".
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bought it after recognising one track and a quick flick through Spotify. Many of the tracks ramble along for ages or have improvisation - not my thing.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Minnie Riperton's beginnings...
4 Jan 2008
Format:Audio CD
The Rotary Connection may not ring a bell with very many people today but drop the name Minnie Riperton it will more than likely elicit a response. One of the best vocalist of the 20th century Riperton, in the her short time on this plane, was noted for her five octave range. A skill that would later be utilized by Mariah Carey in a more brash way. The difference, however, is that Riperton was not only an r&b musician her compositions encompassed folk, rock, funk and disco. Her earlier ventures and experimentation began with the Rotary Connection, a group of adventurous Chicago musicians that were a product of the experimental 60's. Under the guidance of young Chess label head Marshall Chess they drew from all sources of music like many groups of the time. Part 5th Dimension, Jefferson Airplane, Sergio Mendes and Brasil `66 and part Beatles, they wholly took advantage of everything they had around them incorporating swirling chamber strings, sitars, vocal harmonies and playing with the output of speaker channels. If the music described sounds very cinematic add to that Minnie's voice which on the first outing was utilized as more of an instrument. It is believed that had they played Woodstock instead of taking a festival in Toronto for more pay they would have broke out of obscurity. Never achieving the iconic status they deserved they disbanded after five albums. Eventually Sidney Barnes would go on to record solo and Minnie would make her Rotary influenced and overlooked classic "Come To My Garden". After finding success she would eventually succumb to cancer at the early age of thirty one.
Their music did not fall on deaf ears as thirty years later hip hop artist and dance music artists would appropriate their music for a new generation. Most notably Nuyorican Soul would remake `I am the Black Gold of the Sun', The Fugees and Tribe Called Quest would sample from `Memory Band' for `Killing Me Softly' and `Bonita Applebaum' respectively. Chaka Khan would remake `Love Has Fallen On Me' and Common would borrow from it for his track 'Driving Me Wild'. Giles Peterson dug out the Riperton classic `Les Fleur' for his INCredible DJ mix and 4Hero would remake the song and expand on it by extending the instrumentation and bringing in Carina Andersson to channel Riperton vocally. With no less than thirty three reasons to convince you why group was more than deserving of success this collection takes a pretty in-depth look at their eclecticism.
The opening track `Magical World' relates their mantra. As Riperton's vocal rides rousing strings and harp, a hi-hat and horns keep time while Minnie chronicles her vision of nature, peace and acceptance. Its a utopian place where she declares "anyone I want to love I love and no-one cares". No doubt a reference to Minnie's love for band mate and future husband Richard Rudolph who was caucasian. The band's racially diverse line-up was quite unique and ahead of its time as the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Another stand out is the remake of Otis Redding's `Respect' which is so mellow and smooth it's practically unrecognizable until the chorus comes in. There are other band members taking lead and Sydney Barns turns in a great performance on `Didn't Want To Have To Do It' and `The Sea And She' with a voice akin to a soulful Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance. Vocalist Judy Hauff is brilliant on `Love has Fallen On Me'. They do a great cover of Cream's `Tale of Brave Ulyses'. Going on and on about the songs is a mute argument if you see this double disc set it's worth every penny*. Just listen. There is some of the best pop/psych/rock/folk/soul music has to offer...shaken not stirred.
Their music did not fall on deaf ears as thirty years later hip hop artist and dance music artists would appropriate their music for a new generation. Most notably Nuyorican Soul would remake `I am the Black Gold of the Sun', The Fugees and Tribe Called Quest would sample from `Memory Band' for `Killing Me Softly' and `Bonita Applebaum' respectively. Chaka Khan would remake `Love Has Fallen On Me' and Common would borrow from it for his track 'Driving Me Wild'. Giles Peterson dug out the Riperton classic `Les Fleur' for his INCredible DJ mix and 4Hero would remake the song and expand on it by extending the instrumentation and bringing in Carina Andersson to channel Riperton vocally. With no less than thirty three reasons to convince you why group was more than deserving of success this collection takes a pretty in-depth look at their eclecticism.
The opening track `Magical World' relates their mantra. As Riperton's vocal rides rousing strings and harp, a hi-hat and horns keep time while Minnie chronicles her vision of nature, peace and acceptance. Its a utopian place where she declares "anyone I want to love I love and no-one cares". No doubt a reference to Minnie's love for band mate and future husband Richard Rudolph who was caucasian. The band's racially diverse line-up was quite unique and ahead of its time as the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Another stand out is the remake of Otis Redding's `Respect' which is so mellow and smooth it's practically unrecognizable until the chorus comes in. There are other band members taking lead and Sydney Barns turns in a great performance on `Didn't Want To Have To Do It' and `The Sea And She' with a voice akin to a soulful Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance. Vocalist Judy Hauff is brilliant on `Love has Fallen On Me'. They do a great cover of Cream's `Tale of Brave Ulyses'. Going on and on about the songs is a mute argument if you see this double disc set it's worth every penny*. Just listen. There is some of the best pop/psych/rock/folk/soul music has to offer...shaken not stirred.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Well Worth It!
14 May 2009
Format:Audio CD
I grew up in the seventies and listening to this album was just like going back in time and listening to the radio again. Psychedelic rock with Minnie in the background doing stuff they use synthesizers for now and a lead singer with the highest falsetto I've ever heard. Smooth, inventive, soft rock, soulmusic; if you like enigma, bliss, travis, etc, you will like this album. Re-discover the wonder that was Rotory Connection and let your mind flow.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Long Lost....Been Seeking for Years
17 Jan 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Since my college years in the seventies I have been looking for this group on CD but until Amazon the search was fruitless. Great sounds that bring back many memories particularly the voice of Minnie Ripperton.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
