Al Green - Explores Your Mind
Al Green - vocals [click here to see more vinyl featuring Al Green]
Wayne Jackson – Trumpet
Andrew Love - Tenor Sax
Ed Logan - Tenor Sax
James Mitchell - Baritone Sax
Jack Hale – Trombone
Howard Grimes – drums, Congas, Bongos
Leroy Hodges – Bass
Charles Hodges – Keyboards
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges – Guitar
Archie Turner & Michael Allen – Piano
The Memphis Strings, String arrangements by James Mitchell
Backing vocals: Rhodes, Chalmers and Rhodes.
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : unspecified
Label : Pure Pleasure
Original Label : Hi
Recorded in 1974 at Royal Recording Studios, South Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee
Engineered & mixed by: Willie Mitchell
Produced by Willie Mitchell & Al Green
Remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
Originally released in 1974
Reissued in July 2012
Tracks:
Side A :
1. Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)
2.Take Me To The River
3.God Blessed Our Love
4. The City
5.One Nite Stand
Side B :
1. I'm Hooked On You
2. Stay With Me Forever
3. Hangin' On
4. School
Reviews:
« By the time of 1974's Al Green Explores Your Mind, this version of the Memphis sound was the production style for only a handful of artists. Producer Willie Mitchell used a lighter touch for his most famous artist, and it's all but crafted into the Al Green sound. Despite his skills, Green never falls into mannerism here and gives heartfelt and cogent vocals rooted in intelligence and technique. "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," although lyrically slight, has the artist's charisma and Mitchell's pop chops. "Take Me to the River," with perfect backing from Hi Rhythm and a horn and string arrangement, finds Green at his most persuasive. The last track, "School Days," has Green longing for a school girlfriend and despite the potentially sappy sentiment, it works like a charm. The greatness of Al Green Explores Your Mind comes from a collective effort, including James Mitchell's dreamlike string arrangements and the always skilled backing vocals of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes. But the biggest draw here is Green's phrasing and intimate vocals, making the record an extremely strong effort. » AllMusic Review by Jason Elias
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 , Discogs : 4.43 / 5