This marked
Ramsey Lewis' third album for Columbia and the first to feature
the Ramsey Lewis Trio. The most famous members had gone on to other successes. Red Holt and
Eldee Young were signed to Atlantic as
Young-Holt Unlimited, and of course later member
Maurice White founded
Earth, Wind and Fire.
Upendo Ni Pamoja has the rhythm section of bassist
Cleveland Eaton and drummer
Morris Jennings. Unlike many early-'70s sets,
Upendo Ni Pamoja is a pretty straight-ahead date without
Lewis indulging in tracks with funky overtones. Covers predominate here. The trio does a fairly true though subdued take on
War's "Slippin' into Darkness" with
Lewis on Fender Rhodes.
Lewis' gentle playing is found throughout "People Make the World Go Round," although this version of the trio did an even better live take on the Save the Children soundtrack. The best cover,
Michael Jackson's "Got to Be There," has
Lewis playing a Steinway Concert Grand with an arrangement that spotlights the trio sound. The smooth title is one of
Lewis' finest songs of the period. The problem with this is that few tracks stay with the listener. This is a cut or two away from being truly essential. ~ Jason Elias