RARE EARTH “Ecology” LP UK ORIG 1970
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Description
RARE EARTH “Ecology” LP UK ORIG 1970
TAMLA MOTOWN STML 11180
MATRIX NO 11180A-1, B-1 (1ST PRESSING)
GARROD & LOFTHOUSE SLEEVE EX CONDITION
RECORD EX CONDITION PLAYS NR MINT
BLACK AND SILVER LABEL VERY CLEAN
NOT THE FIRST WHITE BAND TO BE ON MOTOWN BUT THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL WHITE BAND.
In 1961 a group of high school buddies formed a band and called it "The Sunliners". After playing for about seven years the group decided to change the name of the band. Hence forth comes "Rare Earth".
Motown Record Corporation approached Rare Earth in the latter part of 1968 to sign a recording contract. At first the group was reluctant to sign because of knowing of other white groups and artists before them that had not had any success because Motown was geared for promotion and distribution in the black market only. It was when Motown decided they wanted to launch a new division of Motown to cater to white artists that Rare Earth started to seriously consider signing.
Rare Earth went on to record 10 albums for the Motown Rare Earth label.
Ecology the bands third album for Motown is very good for the most part and has you would expect the band being from Detroit their music is soul orientated with a little blues thrown in.
Ecology starts out strong and all of side 1 is a winner, especially the swaggering, bravado-laden "Born to Wander," written by Tom Baird, and a hard-hitting, rocking rendition of the Temptations' "I Know I'm Losing You," written by Cornelius Grant, Eddie Holland, and Norman Whitfield; the epic remake of the latter is almost eleven minutes of pure funk-rock. Lead singer Pete Riviera had a powerful voice, similar to Dennis Edwards, that could sell a song; the percussion and echo vocals accentuate the classic.
Side 2 has a little bit more rock to it and isn't quite as strong. However, it does end with a nice soulful version of the Beatles' “Eleanor Rigby”.
Rare Earth was a strong band that made good vibrant music that really can be appreciated on this lovely well kept vinyl. Easy to pick up an American copy of this album on the Rare Earth label after all it did go Gold but to find a UK issue on the silver and black Motown label is another matter !
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