From the Vault...

06/08/2008
#1102

info
Bloodstone
"Natural High"


© Rhino Records

Year of Release: 1972
Rating:

track listing
  • You Know We've Learned
  • Who Has The
    Last Laugh Now
  • Peter's Jones
  • That's The Way
    We Make Our Music
  • Damn That Rock 'N' Roll:
    Bo Diddley/
    Diddley Daddy
  • Natural High
  • I Need Your Love
  • Tell It To My Face
  • Ran It In The Ground
  • Never Let You Go
  • Girl (You Look So Fine)
  • Judy Judy
  • Sadie Mae
  • Take These Chains
  • You Don't Mean Nothin'
  • Little Green Apples

  • WSVNRadio Archives
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M
    N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    Bloodstone related sites:
    Bloodstone Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1101
    Ruben Studdard--I Need An Angel
    Next Review: #1103
    Jason Byrd--First Flight
    Bloodstone
    "Natural High"



    Bloodstone's song "Natural High"< is featured on one of the volumes of Rhino's Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Soul Hits of the 1970s. It's one of the best soulful ballads from the early 1970s, a song that may not be as remembered as other popular ballads from this decade, nor the band's name. After listening to this particular hit, I was curious in learning more of this band, as Natural High was the title track of their 1972 album.


    The first track, "You Know We've Learned" has a soulful, almost Latin feel. For the romantic soul from the 1970s, "Who Has the Last Laugh Now" is a very soulful ballad, definitely having the 1970s Soul sound. "Petey's Jones" is an upbeat 1970s Soul sounding tune, compared to another band popular from the early 1970s, War. Speaking of, War's Platinum Jazz comes to mind on the slow ballad tune from Bloodstone, "Who Has The Last Laugh Now."


    "That's The Way We Make Our Music" is another upbeat number, and can be compared to many of the other popular Soul artists of the day, such as The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays, The Spinners.


    "Damn That Rock 'N' Roll: Bo Diddley/Diddley Daddy" is a tribute to the rock legend, (who just recently passed away [June, 2008]). This song has the Soul sound, compared to the likes of Sly & The Family Stone. "I Need Your Love" has a very upbeat, lively sound, and could be passed having a Motown sound. "Tell It To My Face" in one word -- Funky. "Ran It In The Ground" slows the pace down again; another Soulful slow ballad, compared to the likes of the Temptations, with the high falsetto and tenor voices. "Never Let You Go" returns with the great soulful medium tempo sound, compared to the popular Soul 1970s acts mentioned before in this review.


    The remaining six tracks are bonus selections: "Girl (You Look So Fine)" has the Sly & The Family funky sound, "Judy Judy" is another Motown-sounding song (Temptations), likewise "Sadie Mae." The groove is funky on "Take These Chains," likewise "You Don't Mean Nuthin'". The last track is the O.C. Smith classic, "Little Green Apples." Bloodstone's version is very good, and Collectors Choice Music (http://www.ccmusic.com) just recently issued a Best Of Smith's music.


    The soulful ballads are the standouts on Natural High, although it has upbeat/funky numbers. Songs on this release are compared to many 1970s Soul acts, such as The Temptations, Sly & The Family Stone, The O'Jays, The Spinners, War. It is a good soulful release, and nice to discover a not-so-well-known band, who only had 13 hits from their years together (1973-1984).


    © WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Rhino Records and is used for reference purposes only.


    Previous Review: #1101
    Ruben Studdard--I Need An Angel
    Next Review: #1103
    Jason Byrd--First Flight