Genre: soul
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Hypnotic Music
Company: Invictus
Catalog: ST-9806
Year: 1972
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap; cutout hole top right corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5212
Price: $30.00
The early 1970s commercial successes enjoyed by The Chairmen of the Board saw the group members given opportunities to strike out on their own via various solo projects. Singer/guitarist Harrison Kennedy took advantage of the opportunity making his solo debut via 1972's "Hypnotic Music". Produced by William Weatherspoon (Ronald Dunbar credited as executive producer), the album underscored Kennedy's reputation as The Chairmen of the Board''s closet rocker - he'd handled lead vocals on most of the group's rock-oriented catalog including their interesting Beatles and Traffic covers. From a musical standpoint the album's rock orientation and social and political commentary ('You Hurt Your Mother Again) made this a very atypical project for Brian Holland-Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland's Invictus label. Material like the pseudo-psychedelic title track, the Kennedy-penned 'Closet Queen' and 'Night Comes Day Goes' (the latter baring a passing resemblance to Joe Cocker) was all impressive, serving to showcase his nifty voice and gift for crafting commercial material. Highlights included his cover of The Beatles 'Come Together' (which seemed to be the same version as found on The Chairmen of the Board's debut album), and 'Sunday Morning People'. Perhaps because it was due to the fact it was atypical funky recalling something out of the Sly and the Family Stone catalog, 'Sunday Morning People' was tapped as an instantly obscure single. ('Sunday Morning People' b/w 'Come Together' (Invictus catalog number Is-9119). Much of this would have sounded right at home of FM radio unfortunately from a commercial standpoint the album was too rock oriented for soul audiences, while Harrison's soul reputation ensured he didn't get a shot at breaking out with a white/rock audience.
"Hypnotic
Music" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Hypnotic Music (William Weatherspoon - A Bond) - 5:19
2.) Closet Queen (Harrison Kennedy) - 3:22
3.) Night Comes Day Goes (Harrison Kennedy) - 6:40
4.) Sunday Morning People (Ronald Dunbar - E. Wayne) - 3:09
(side
2)
1.) Gimme a Glass of Water (Harrison Kennedy) - 3:07
2.) Come Together (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 3:50
3.) You Hurt Your Mother Again (Harrison Kennedy) - 5:51
4.) Up the Organization (Ronald Dunbar - E Wayne) - 3:12
5.) Children of the Day (William Weatherspoon) - 3:16