How to move from bluesy road tunes to this elaborate jazz-soul number at the peak of the psychedelic movement? Partly because this band also backed Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters – on the albums Electric Mud (1968) and The Howlin' Wolf Album (1969). Marshall Chess, son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess formed the band alongside Charles Stepney, and it included Minnie Riperton on vocals, releasing their debut in 1967. Their style underwent changes, and this climactic track, one often recognised but from a highly underrated band, is from their final album Hey, Love ( when they were slightly renamed as The New Rotary Connection) in 1971, with a transformed sound and lineup, and an extraordinary piece of composition and orchestration produced and featuring Stepney on several instruments, alongside Riperton's spectacular high-voiced parts before she later became a solo star.
The fusion of, first Spanish guitar, then jazz piano, rock guitar and choir touch on a variety of influences, and in some ways the song heavily echoes and is a reworking of the more obscure jazz instrumental Black Gold by Phil Upchurch (1969), which is also included below. Guitarist Upchurch, who also played with Cannonball Adderley, also features here, as well as stunning lead vocals by Dave Scott. What is it all about? Part of the hippie-era back-to-the-land eco movement? Reaching back to African roots? Wither way, hopefully it will help usher in spring's warmer weather.
Hey, I am the one song of the sun
Above the deep within the light
Father of the one
I am the black gold of the sun
I am the black gold of the sun.
Gold, I am the daughter of the sun
Shadows that light up the day
Dark moon shadow on the way
I am the black gold of the sun
I am the black gold of the sun.
I am the tall oak tree
I am the jungle stream
I am the morning sun
Smiling on everyone
I am the shining sea
I am the mountain high
I am so free
(I am the black gold of the sun).
La-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, laaaaaaa …
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