Nov 25

The Vibrations - 1973 - Taking A New Step

Posted by nikos1109

The Vibrations were a smooth harmonizing soul group in the tradition of the Temptations and the Delfonics.  Originally known as the Jayhawks, the Vibrations were notable for being equally proficient with smooth ballads, such as ‘Oh Cindy’ (1962), and exuberant dance tunes like ‘Sloop Dance’ (1964).  Following a string of minor hits in the late 60s, they temporarily disbanded just prior to recording “Taking A New Step”, with the lead single “Wind up toy” revitalising their good fortunes.  They eventually became a nightclub act in the mid 1970s, before officially dissolving the group in 1976.  This is wonderful tribute to a band that managed to move through 3 decades and still sound scintillatingly fresh.  This is one fabulous group soul album.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Mandala LP including covers

Tracks
A1 Wind Up Toy 2.47
A2 Ain’t No Greens In Harlem 3.22
A3 Run For Your Lives 3.31
A4 Take A Step 3.51
A5 Midnight Rider 2.38
A6 Kazoo 2.40
B1 Man Overboard 2.36
B2 The Man 4.02
B3 Silver Dollar 2.56
B4 Whiskey Man 2.44
B5 Bolder, Green & Jones 5.25

Review by Trakbuv

Well it would seem that if you weren’t a ‘-tion’ or an ‘-ic’, you weren’t a soul harmony group at one point in time. However, the Vibrations had several incarnations prior to this glorious release, and had originally formed as The Heart Thrills way back in ’55. Hailing from Los Angeles, the original members included Carl Fisher, Cleo White and Dave Govan. They then changed their name to the Jayhawks the following year and released “Counting my teardrops” on the Flash imprint. I’m guessing they weren’t counting too many royalties after it flung open the door to fame and fortune. They eventually scored with “Stranded in the jungle” in ‘56 (US Soul Charts #18), before changing their name momentarily to The Vibes in 1959, just before presumably realising that including ‘-tions’ was the necessary ingredient for continued success. And it duly followed in the form of “The Watusi” in ’61 (#21). They even had time to moonlight as The Marathons at the behest of HB Barnum who had a novelty record for another act (The Olympics). The Olympics were unfortunately away on tour and the single, titled “Peanut butter”, became a US Top 20 hit.

Although having several line-ups, the core unit became Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, Jimmy Johnson, Don Bradley and Richard Owens. They had gained a reputation of being equally at ease with slow and upbeat numbers, and had continued success with numbers like “My Girl Sloopy” (’64), “Misty” (’65) and “And I love her” (’66). The Vibrations briefly broke up in 1971 whereupon Richard had a short stay with the Temptations. I guess “Taking A New Step” is the fruits of their reunion, and musically I believe the LP title conveys their new direction aptly. “Wind up toy” is a song I am familiar with and is a firm favourite with the Northern Soul crowd. That gentle, gleeful jingle jangle of the guitar is quite hypnotic and was an assured pop-laced single to lead the LP. Sterling stuff. The other track that I have cherished for many years now is the glorious “Take a step” - wonderful midtempo group soul of the highest order. Spectacular.

What I was not prepared for was the FUNK !! This LP has managed to capture the rawness, dirt, mayhem and rhythm, all essential funk ingredients, in an utterly convincing sauce. Check out my favourites “The Man” and “Kazoo” (oh my) for some zappy happy butt-gnawing grits – slide baby, sliiiiide !! Or the audacious boldness of “Bolder, Green & Jones” – just try and stop those goosebumps popping. “Silver dollar” keeps the message ringing to a fatback jive; they present a great version of the Allman Brothers classic “Midnight rider”; and slaphappy funk in “Ain’t no greens in Harlem”. “Whiskey man” gives a slight whimsical approach to the sad tale of lost love - another beautiful inclusion. And just to run the full gamut of musical influences, we have some country-honky tonk pop in the form of “Run for your lives”.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the scope of this LP which reminded me of my melted emotional state after hearing the Skull Snaps LP the first time. And I cannot stop playing ‘Kazoo’ - I’ve even ordered one on-line. If I had formed a band, I think I would have called ourselves ‘The Contradictions’ and had the benefit of both an ‘-ic’ and a ‘-tion’, but we best not go to a place where I also wish I could sing and had an afro haircut.

Download link

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Date November 25th, 2009

48 Responses to “The Vibrations - 1973 - Taking A New Step”

  1. wallofsound Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Vibrate on. Thanks for sharing.

  2. brady Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    thanks homie

  3. Bob Dope Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Great! Thanks!!!

  4. Bloth Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    Smooth!

  5. Bobby Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Life in 4/4 time. Thanks for such smooth smacks!

  6. Nick E. Mixtapes Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    damn, i’m psyched

  7. jean paris Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    i like that…..really nice lp…thanks again nikos..and thanks to trakb for ur knowledge…Respect .. jean paris

  8. alphabet Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Much appreciated!! I love the reviews, keep it up

  9. flageolette Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Many thanks!

    Cheers,

  10. Andreas Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Another wonderful discovery!

  11. rich Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    thanks nikos i heard one song of this group and now i got there album to listen to. will u be posting any of there other albums on here

  12. nikos Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    I will to try to find them my friend! do not have any at the moment.

    nikos

  13. JTF Says:
    November 25th, 2009 at 11:54 pm

    Thanks!

  14. Raphy Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 1:37 am

    A great find……………….Thanks Bros.

    Big Up!@!

  15. Heat Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 3:36 am

    Thanks Nikos !!! I’ll listen to it…

  16. Mark Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    It’s so nice. i loved all these soul groups in the 70s.

  17. Lafayette Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Another lifesaver post for a cold and dark November day! Thanks Nikos! And thanks to Trakbuv for the background story…always so much nicer to get wiser! :¬)

    /Laf

  18. invisiblenigma Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Great Stuff Nikos!! Much appreciated!!

  19. Oblio Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    looks like an awesome album to bad rapidshare wont let me download it

  20. solomon Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    thanks

  21. Peter Says:
    November 27th, 2009 at 12:24 am

    Great record and write up. Thanks.

  22. tswift Says:
    November 27th, 2009 at 2:11 am

    Damn good post here…….thanks nikos!

  23. Cody B Says:
    November 27th, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Greens has always been a fave, but I hadn’t heard the rest. Thank you.

  24. Sergio Says:
    November 27th, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Thanks for all the great stuff you post. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

  25. croatoa Says:
    November 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    The album is great!!!!now we need more of this!!!!

  26. D. Says:
    November 28th, 2009 at 12:49 am

    Thanks for that albums. Real nice blog out there

  27. Chris Says:
    November 28th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    dope!!!! keep up the good work!!!!

  28. jaguar Says:
    November 28th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Great LP.

    Many thanks.

  29. Radek Says:
    November 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    A very good album. I like the way they mix smooth soul with rough funk. Thank you very much.

  30. dj85 Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I never seen this before. Thanks alot. Cant wait to listen
    -dj85

  31. Will Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 5:52 am

    Thankyou!

  32. Krisch Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Thanks!

  33. hooch Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Just had a quick listen - love it nikos, thank you so much.

  34. hooch Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    Trakbuv - i love your reviews my friend because they come from the heart!
    You should be writing reviews for the top mags out there!

  35. Brotherpete Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    superdeluxe! Thanks a lot !

  36. Siwo Says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Thanks for another awesome post!!

  37. HeavySoulBrutha DaveB. Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:51 am

    Many many THANKS!!!

  38. xwiler Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 7:27 am

    im luvin this album.. very smooth keep up the good work

  39. rich Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    thank u nikos would really appreciate it

  40. Flatland Dan Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 5:44 am

    Such a great album. Every song a gem. Thanks!

  41. avocado kid Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 8:29 am

    dang been looking for this 4-eva! Ain’t no greens in harlem y’all…

  42. E-mile Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 am

    nikos, another joyful GEM! lovely cover of the Allman Tune too, what were those brother thing??? you once more made my day, my freind [:-)
    peace, E-mile

  43. nlwallha Says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 5:51 am

    woo….the quality continues! Thanks! Some real nice tunes on here.

  44. Ray Says:
    December 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 am

    I don’t believe anyone here realizes that Ricky Owens was Eddie Kendricks orignal replacement in the Temps. He was fired after like 2 weeks because he flubbed “Just My Imagination” in D.C. @ the Carter Barron w/the group and they were booed off.

  45. Trakbuv Says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Many thanks for the positive vibe, Hooch - very much taken to heart !

  46. jos Says:
    December 5th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    thank you for this one !!!!

  47. the doctor Says:
    December 24th, 2009 at 10:41 am

    a couple of confusing things that might be typos or not. you call them at one point the “variations” but I’m thinking you meant the vibrations, and later you refer to someone named ralph who joined the temps, but nowhere is anyone named ralph mentioned previously.

  48. Trakbuv Says:
    December 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Many thanks ‘The Doctor’ for pointing out a couple of mistakes on my part, which I have now corrected. Much appreciated. Hope you enjoy the music.

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