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LP
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BEWITH 068LP
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Repressed. Be With Records present a reissue of Mother Freedom Band's Cutting The Chord, originally released in 1977. Mother Freedom Band's Cutting The Chord is a funky modern soul classic. It's both a criminally under-appreciated album, a sweet disco-funk groover. Produced by the great Al Goodman from The Moments and originally released in 1977, Cutting The Chord seems to be one of the lesser known releases on the curious, and often great All Platinum label. Other than a 7" of a couple of these tracks, the only thing that the band seem to have released is this album, and what an album it is. Unbeatable soul-funk of the highest quality. The album bursts open with "Love Will Stay In Your Corner", a soulful dancer that reliably slays any funk set. It's followed by the lithe disco funk "Flick Of The Wrist" that's all bubbling baselines and elegant horns. The groovy, horn-enhanced sweet soul of "Gotta Get It Back" is equal parts heartbreaker/hip-shaker and the acidic organs on "Mr Brother" are an experiment in synth soul. Perhaps the group's best-known track, "Beautiful Summer's Day" is pure piano-driven paradise soul. A tropical birdsong intro sets the scene of a warm, perfect sunshine day and the lead vocal soars over the lush, clean production. The brilliantly-named "(Assistants Rag) When You're Hot, You're Hot" opens side two. Another huge highlight, it's a laid-back, power-funk workout that sounds incredibly modern, like something off the last D'Angelo record. The horn-heavy, clav-stabbing-stomper "We Like To Boogie" keeps things fast and funky before the airy, heavenly harmony soul of "Come On Home" mellows us all out. Things pick up again with "Touch Me", and you might recognize its addictive elements sampled in Jay-Z's Kanye West-produced "A Star Was Born". The magical, reggae-tinged, gospel-influenced "Sweet Love" closes out this assured, classy set. It can be said that Cutting The Chord is a rare example of a funk-soul LP which is killer from start-to-finish. Sure, there are the stand-out bombs, but the whole thing is a complete and varied album of feel-good vibes held together by its fluid horns, tight, tight rhythm section and beautiful vocals. Mastered for vinyl from the original analog tapes by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and artwork restored at Be With HQ.
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