line up 1 (1969-70)

- Eugene Barr (RIP) -- sax

- Cecil Hunt -- percussion

- Jimmy Munford (RIP) -- drums 

- Steve Weakley -- guitar

- Bobby Whatley -- keyboards

  line up 2 (1970-75 )

- Eugene Barr (RIP) -- sax

NEW - Michael Hughes -- drums (replaced Jimmy Mumford)

- Cecil Hunt -- percussion

- Steve Weakley -- guitar

- Bobby Whatley -- vocals, keyboards

  line up 3 (1975-76)

- Eugene Barr -- sax

 - Michael Hughes -- drums (replaced Jimmy Munford)

- Cecil Hunt -- percussion

- Williams Simmons -- bass

NEW - Rudy Turner -- guitar (replaced Steve Weakley)

- Bobby Whatley -- keyboards

  line up 4 (1995)
- Cecil Hunt -- percussion

NEW - Phil Brines -- drums (replaced Jimmy Munford)

NEW - Teddy Patterson -- sax (replaced Eugene Barr)

NEW - Doug Swanigan -- guitar (replaced Rudy Turner)

- Bobby Whatley -- keyboards

- Bobby Whatley (solo efforts)

Genre: soul

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Priced To Sell

Company: Prestige

Catalog: P 10087
Year: 1974

Country/State: Indianapolis, Illinois

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: SOLD

Catalog ID: SOLD 804

Price: SOLD

So, I bought this one largely because of the oddball musical pairing - soul band Funk Inc. teamed with psych producer David Axelrod.   I figured this had the makings of something truly bizarre.   Turns out I was wrong.  While there wasn't anything radically wrong with 1975's "Priced To Sell", compared to the band's earlier albums this one came off as being rather mellow; occasionally bordering on the adult contemporary lite-jazz that used to greet you in corporate lobbies ('The Girl of My Dreams').  These guys were certainly talented enough; musically every one of the seven tracks had something going for it, but the overall effect was surprisingly subdued, if not borderline dull.  Can't say I'd give this one a ringing endorsement.

"Priced To Sell" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) It Ain't the Spotlight   (Gerry Goffin - Goldberg) - 4:47

The band's cover of Gerry Goffin' 'It Ain't the spotlight' was probably the album's most commercial offering,  Musically the cover didn't stray too far from the original's catchy melody, though the soulful edges were a nice addition.  rating: *** stars

2.) Priced To Sell (instrumental)   (Bobby Watley) - 5:27

Built on some nice Turner licks, the title track starts out with a tasty, slightly jazzy groove and when the horns kick in, it moves a tad in the blaxploitation soundtrack direction.   Nice instrumental.   rating: *** stars

3.) God Only Knows   (Bobby Watley - Slaughter) - 4:10

The pretty ballad 'God Only Knows' found the band slipping into Spinners vocal group mode.   Nice, but not something that stuck with you for the long term.   The band Black Sheep subsequently sampled a piece of the tune for their song 'Le Menage'.   rating: *** stars

(side 2)
1.) Where Are We Going   (Larry Mizell) - 4:20

To my ears this one's always sounded like a cross between The Blacybyrds, early War with a touch of Marin Gaye thrown in.   Smooth, surprisingly funky with tasteful horns, it was hard not to like 'Where Are We Going'.  rating: *** stars

2.) Gimme Some Lovin'   (Stevie Winwood - Muff Winwood - Spencer Davis) - 3:06

The album's first outright disappointment, their cover of The Spencer Davis classic brought nothing to the table.   The original melody was still there, but was buried under horns, female backing singers, and needless clutter.  Best attribute here was Turner's fuzz guitar work.   rating: ** stars

3.) Somewhere In My Mind   (Bobby Watley - Slaughter) - 3:11

Thanks to  Eugene Barr's bass line, 'Somewhere In My Mind' was the album's funkiest number, but still had a slinky jazzy edge to it.   rating; *** stars

4.) The Girl of My Dreams (instrumental)  (Rudy Turner) - 4:16

The closing instrumental 'The Girl of My Dreams' was pretty enough, mixing some of the groove that made mid-'70s War tunes so nifty with a nice melody, but ultimately the sax dominated turned was one of the tracks that found the band stepping dangerously close to corporate elevator music.   rating: ** stars