Ex-
Action lead singer
Reg King's early-'70s solo album was, like many endeavors of the day, stuffed with assistance from many friends famous and not-so-famous. Not only were there expected contributions from members of
the Action and
Mighty Baby, but also appearances by
Mick Taylor,
Steve Winwood,
Doris Troy,
Brian Auger, and less-known but talented fellows like several members of
the Blossom Toes and ex-
Animals drummer
Barry Jenkins. And like many such deals, the sum ended up being far less than the parts. There was a morning-after-the-'60s hangover feel to the music, like a band trying to sound like
Traffic but with the colors faded and the ideals intact, but the energy ebbing.
King's white soul vocals are strong, but the recording doesn't do them full justice, submerging them more than they should be given that this was his solo showcase. The big problem, though, was that the songs just weren't there. This casual blues-rock-soul sounded more like riffs and lyrical ideas -- and not particularly interesting ones -- being jammed upon than they did completed ideas. Though there's a pleasant, somewhat stoned buzz to the material, with some vague "do your own thing" and "let's get it together" messages floating about, in the end it seems undercooked and is ultimately forgettable. ~ Richie Unterberger