Genre: soul
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: The New Direction
Company: Neptune
Catalog: NLPS-200
Year: 1970
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: small drill hole through middle
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4661
Price: $80.00
Cost: $66.00
Can't say I know much about this one. I picked it up based on the fact Neptune Records was an early, pre-Philadelphia International Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff imprint. In fact, 1970's cleverly titled "The New Direction" is produced by the pair.
Musically this is a pretty atypical Gamble and Huff effort. The nameless vocal quartet (three guys and a woman) are actually quite talented, but their MOR-jazz stylings are likely to put off lots of folks. I've seen a couple of comparisons to The 5th Dimension, but the comparison isn't really apt in that these guys revel in a cocktail jazz idiom that has more in common with early Manhattan Transfer.
"The New Direction" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Spinning
Wheel (David Clayton Thomas - Blackwood - Bay) - 2:29
2.) Didn't We (Webb - Canopy) - 4:22
3.) If You Show Me That Way (Bell - Martin) - 2:49
4.) Tribute To Burt Bacharach and Hall David - 8:03
a.) I Say A Little Prayer
b.) Walk On By
c.) Always Something There To Remind Me
d.) Never Get To Heaven
e.) What The World Needs Now
f.) Windows Of The World
g.) Trains And Boats And Planes
h.) Do You Know The Way To San Jose
(side
2)
1.) Feeling Good (Newley - Bricuss) - 3:18
2.) Teardrops And Heartaches (long - Roark) - 3:14
3.) Ride My Carousel (Greenfield - Miller) - 2:59
4.) Dream Medley - 5:03
a.) You Stepped Out Of A Dream (Kahn - Broawn)
-
b.) Don't Let Me Lose This Dream (Franklin -
White) -
c.) Dream (mercer - Michael Goldsen) -
d.) Close Your Eyes (Pethere - Miller)
-
e.) I Have Dreamed (Rodgers - Hammerstein)
-