Ma is
Rare Earth's most satisfying LP, a great effort capped off by
Norman Whitfield writing and producing all five songs. "Ma," the title track, had been done by
the Temptations and
the Undisputed Truth, but nobody rocked like
Rare Earth; they jam for 17:17 on the funkiest mama song ever. "Hum Along and Dance" first appeared on
the Temptations'
Psychedelic Shack;
Rare Earth gives the groover an update, with a rolling organ to set it off. A haunting arrangement of "Smiling Faces Sometimes" will make you shiver, and things don't get much more sensual than the soft and lush "Come with Me." ~ Andrew Hamilton