Genre: soul
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Keep It Coming
Company: Tamla
Catalog: T6 35151
Year: 1977
Country/State: New York City, NY
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5195
Price: $10.00
I have to admit that I'm not 100% sure about these comments, but I believe 1977's "Keep It Coming" was a compilation pulling material from Valerie Simpson's two criminally overlooked early 1970s solo efforts. Released in an effort to capitalize on her post Motown successes (with husband Nickolas Ashford), you're advised to look for the two original album ("Valerie Simpson Exposed" and the cleverly titled "Valerie Simpson"), but this one isn't a bad place to start.
I've always loved Simpson's chameleon-like voice and her knack for penning incredibly commercial material. Both of those characteristics were capably showcased on this set. The title track, 'Sinner Man' (nominated for a Grammy award) and 'Can It Wait Until Tomorrow' were all songs that had radio 'hit' written all over it, but for some reason simply disappeared without a trace (as did Simpson's two LPs). Blame an incompetent Motown marketing department ... Another killer was the environmentally sensitive 'Genius I' and 'Genius II'. Part 1 was kind of dull, the up tempo second version may have been the album's stand out effort. Elsewhere the biggest revelation was the Gospel-flavored 'Drink the Wine'. Sung in an atypical deep baritone, folks tend to forget that Simpson was brought up in the Church (she and Ashford met in a Harlem church). On this one she gave Aretha Franklin a run for her money.
"Keep It
Coming" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Keep It Coming (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
2.) Sinner Man (Don't Let Him Catch You) (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
3.) Drink the Wine (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
4.) Silly Wasn't I (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson - Joshie Armstead) -
5.) How That There's You (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
(side
2)
1.) Love Woke Me Up This Morning (Nickolas Ashford -
Valerie Simpson) -
2.) Can It Wait Until Tomorrow (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
3.) Genius I (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -
4.) Genius II (Nickolas Ashford - Valerie Simpson) -