Released by Stax in 1981, while
the Staple Singers were on the 20th Century label,
This Time Around is based on unreleased material from '70s sessions. Extensive overdubbing -- including atmospheric synthesizer flourishes, synthetic handclaps, heavy-ish art-rock guitar, and treatments to the vocals -- was done for the sake of sounding up to date. The set is not without some high points. "Trippin' on Your Love," somewhere between Sylvia's "Pillow Talk" and something by
Ronnie McNeir -- one of two songs written by
Prince Phillip Mitchell -- grooves sweetly. "If It Wasn't for a Woman," presumably handled with little or no additional touches, is a strong ballad. The 2013 reissue features detailed liner notes. ~ Andy Kellman