The New Birth* – Comin' From All Ends

Album Revolution # 3: I have some choice words about how this album is viewed, but I will get to that in a bit...After fighting for their last album in "It's Been A Long Time" and winning, "The New Birth" decided to really go into their creative bag and record "Comin' From All Ends"....This is nothing like any of the albums they released before...The first thing to notice is that, the songs are weaved in togther, sounding like one big jam session...Then, the second, everything (and I do mean everything) that "Harvey Fuqua" taught them went out the window....Remember, I said that "James Baker" (with his Sargent In Arms, "Melvin Wilson"), just absolutely took over, and the band obviously was very happy about it....They even expressed it a little with the beginning interlude "End To End", with the group giving a total sound check, as if they were really ready to get down!!!!! Now, as I go through the album, keep in mind that is totally different from the last two, but it is still a total Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel....It starts out with the "Charles Hearndon" penned, "Take This Train To Freedom"....This thought provoking track (complete with "Choo-Choo" sounds), has "Leslie Wilson" again on his pulpit, outlining the continued struggle of people of color...."I Wash My Hands Of The Whole Damn Deal" (written by "James Baker" and "Allen Frey), has "Allen" getting some things off his chest...Remember, "Allen" was promised by the former boss ("Harvey Fuqua") to be the man upfront in the group....Somewhere down the line, (and I'm sure because "Leslie Wilson" and "Londee Wiggins" was stepping up more) that promise went out the window...."James Baker" served up this 6 minute jam to assure "Allen" that not only did he still have a place in the group, he was still a major player (and this song proved it!!!!!)....."Lady Love" (written by "Melvin Wilson", "Robert Jackson" and "Tony Churchill"), has "Melvin" croonin' his tail off, on a very very sultry track...I love how "Robert Jackson" also hugs the track with his Trumpet playing...The only thing that annoys me is the sex sounding scene...I'm sorry guys, but I really feel like that was very unnessesary....My first favorite song on the album, "Pretty Music" (written by "Jackson" and the "Wilson" Brothers), has a fantastic melody, with "Leslie" two ways....What?!?!?, you may say....Well, you have "Leslie" singing the verses in his initial tone, then in the chorus parts, you have him in the background with Sonic Vocals....It is so infecious, and it sounds like his Voice is floating in the air...."Patiently" (written by "Baker & Wilson" and "Londee Wiggins") has "Wiggins" giving one of her best performances ever!!!! The Spooky Soul sounds was perfect behind her Vocals and Lyrics (which proves once again why "James" took over along with "Melvin")....My second favorite on here is, "Echoes Of My Mind" (written by "Baker & Wilson" along with "Carl McDaniel")....This one sounds like it was recorded in an "Echoe", having "Allen Frey's" high register to fit it perfectly..."Carl McDaniel", a Guitarist I do believe was a new member at this time....He gave a raving Guitar performance on "Keep On Doing It" (from "It's Been A Long Time"), that the group wanted him to stay...It paid off!!!! I also read that "Charles Hearndon" was the catalyst for "McDaniel" to stay, so they could have that one two punch Guitar sound....The next song, "Do It Again" (written by "Gloria Jones" and "Pam Sawyer"), seemed to be the only song influenced by "Harvey Fuqua"....It allowed "Londee Wiggins" to give another standout performance....The only thing that might have thrown the song off, is that toward the end, the song gets faster, with "Leslie" tag teaming on it....The final song Title Track, is also one of my favorites on the album...Written by "Baker" & "Wilson", this one right here, is almost 8 minutes of pure awesomeness!!!!! It has "Melvin" getting his point across, with very few lyrics....The song just has that jam out feel, that will make you feel like you were in the room....The "Epilog" finishes the "Baker" experience, with the band singing like they are in Church about coming togther.....Now, time for my choice words....I have read certain reviews about this album, and it really got to me....I really felt like this was brave for the group to do, but the reviewers made it feel like they were not allowed to do it unless they were a "Rock" band....Now, I might be reaching a bit here, but that's how they made it sound....Now, getting that out the way, this was also the last album involving "Harvey Fuqua"....I feel like it was bittersweet, because, even though "James Baker" took over the reigns, I felt like that "Harvey" could still have a place with the group....It was a catch 22 situation, because you always root for a group to be self contained...This was also the end of the relationship with "RCA" (for a while).....Whatever the group was going for (whether right or wrong), it would be their doing.....

I just received a copy of this pressing and it has the wrong artist and songs on the vinyl. Album has a New Birth label sticker but the music is someone else. Both sides are pressed incorrectly.