AVERAGE WHITE BAND: AWB
After debuting with 1973's excellent but neglected Show Your Hand, the Average White Band switched from MCA to Atlantic and hit big with this self-titled gem. The band embraced soul and funk with so much conviction that it was clear this was anything but an "average" white band. This album manages to be completely funky and soulful all the way through as it intends. But it also does a marvelous job, of effectively pulling many different kinds of genre ideas into that groove. You can hear jazz, blues, contemporary pop and silky smooth soul wrapped into this funk like a blanket.
Tracklist:
1.You Got It 2.Got The Love 3.Pick Up The Pieces 4.Person To Person 5.Work To Do 6.Nothing You Can Do 7.Just Wanna Love You Tonight 8.Keepin' It To Myself 9.I Just Can't Give You Up 10.There's Always Someone Waiting
Lineup:
Alan Gorrie - lead vocals ("Keepin' It To Myself", "There's Always Someone Waiting"), co-lead vocals ("You Got It", "Work To Do", "Nothing You Can Do", "Just Wanna Love You Tonight"), background vocals, bass, guitar ("You Got It"), Hamish Stuart - lead vocals ("Got The Love", "Person To Person", "I Just Can't Give You Up"), co-lead vocals ("You Got It", "Work To Do", "Nothing You Can Do", "Just Wanna Love You Tonight"), background vocals, lead guitar, bass ("You Got It"), Roger Ball - keyboards, alto & baritone saxophones, Molly Duncan - tenor saxophone, Onnie McIntyre - background vocals, guitar, guitar solo ("Work To Do"), Robbie McIntosh - drums, percussion. Additional musicians: Ralph MacDonald - congas, percussion, Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone, Randy Brecker - trumpet, Marvin Stamm - trumpet, Mel Davis - trumpet, Glenn Ferris - trombone, Ken Bichel - mellotron ("Just Wanna Love You Tonight")