Fontella Bass: Free (1972) ... plus

If Fontella Bass' 'Rescue Me' is the best soul single that Aretha Franklin never made, then Free is the lost classic that deserves space in any record collection housing worn-out copies of the Queen of Soul's I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You and Spirit in the Dark. This album was done after her time at Chess Records, and after her work in Paris with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, though that is definitely not the best reference point for what this particular album sounds like, which is much more in the vein of Aretha, or at times Nina Simone. Reuniting Bass with producer Oliver Sain, who helmed her classic mid-'60s sides for Chess, Free draws on the singer's gospel roots to forge a deeply spiritual and moving examination of post-civil rights America. Cuts like 'Talking About Freedom,' 'To Be Free,' and 'My God, My Freedom, My Home' showcase the remarkable power and poignancy of Bass' vocals, couched beautifully by Sain's nuanced, blues-inspired arrangements. The strings, when they are present, are edgy enough not to make the album ever sound too overproduced. This expanded version of her 1972 Paula album Free, adds a new version of her classic 'Rescue Me' along with four B-sides: 'It Sure Is Good,' 'I'm Leaving the Choice to You,' 'Home Wrecker,' and 'It's Hard to Get Back In.' Bass wrote most of the songs here herself - including the touching blues ballads 'Wiping Tears' and 'I Need Love'-, along with a few collaborative efforts with her then-husband Lester Bowie, and all the tracks showcase her dynamic, dramatic approach to soul. In short, if you are interested in delving into late-'60s/early-'70s soul past the obvious masters, then you really can't go wrong with this album. http://www.answers.com/, http://www.dustygroove.com/, http://www.amazon.com/

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