Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Future Tense
Company: United Artists
Catalog: UAS-5514
Year: 1970
Country/State: USA
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring wear; gatefold sleeve
Available: SOLD
GEMM catalog ID: 2464
Price: SOLD
Cost: $1.00
Not to be confused with the better known mid-1970s jazz outfit featuring Charlie Parker ...
As a big Sir Douglas Quintet fan, this LP came as a major surprise to me. I knew that namesake Doug Sahm had stepped out on his own to record 1971's "Return of Doug Saldana", but was unaware of the fact that sans-Sahm, The Quintet had recorded a pair of early-1970s LPs for United Artists.
Produced by singer/multi-instrumentalist Frank Morin, the first of the two, 1970's "Future Tense" is a wonderful album. With a line up rounded out by guitarist Byron Farlow, multi-instrumentalist Martin Fierro, trumpeter Luis Gasca, keyboardist Augie Meyers, drummer John Perez and bassist Jim Stallings, it's a set that former front man Sahm would have been proud of. Musically the set's typically eclectic, mixing Cajun, Latin and rock influences, while taking capable stabs at pop ('World of Living'), rock ('Waiting for the Red Light') and soul ('Stagger Lee'). Even better, tracks such as 'Plane' and the bizarre 'Hey Ya, Hey Ya' sport Meyers' instantly recognizable keyboards. There are plenty of highlights including a dazzling remake of the Sir Douglas Quintet's 'The Rains Came', the rollicking 'Dica Dica' and 'The Man Is the Black Sedan'. In spite of all that praise, I will readily admit to missing Sahm's instantly recognizable voice, though ya' can't have everything. Ignoring the hideous cover art, this is one of our favorite recent finds and an LP I've actually committed to CD and have in my 100 CD jukebox player.
"Future Tense" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Waiting for the Red Light (John Perez) - 2:47
2.) World of Living (John Perez) - 2:41
3.) The Rains Came (Huey P. Meaux) - 3:10
4.) Plane (Byron Farlow - Frank Morin) - 3:21
5.) Stagger Lee (Lloyd Price - Harold Logan) - 3:15
6.) Hey Ya, Hey Ya (James Stalling - Robert Markley) - 3:31
(side 2)
1.) Dica Dica (Bryon Farlow) - 2:14
2.) Thinking of You (Bryon Farlow) - 2:25
3.) We've Been Hijacked (C. Meyer - Kim Fowley) - 2:24
4.) The Man Is the Black Sedan (Martin Fierro - Frank Morin) - 2:53
5.) You Gotta Pay (Byron Farlow) - 2:20
6.) It's Gonna Be Alright (Buron Farlow) - 2:05
Anyone ever heard their follow on? I've never even seen a copy for sale.