Latimore – Let’s Straighten It Out
Latimore – Put Pride Aside
Latimore – Ain’t Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind
Recently picked this up at the West Side records show, during a two-week birthday inspired records binge. Originally I heard this record as part of the original Barnes family record collection. It’s hard to determine if my Mom or my Dad picked this one up, both of them were fans of deep soul and down home blues and this 1974 record straddles the line between both worlds. Me, I was never really fond of “down home blues,” but I love super deep soul and Benny Latimore delivers on this record on that front big time.
“Let’s Straighten It Out” is one of my all-time favorite deep soul slow jams. First off, there’s the sound, smoky and spacious yet strangely minimal at the same time with those sparkling organ lines Latimore lays down and that extra crispy high-hat from the drummer Robert Furgeson. The instrumental intro goes on for so long you’d think the musicians got so locked into the groove they forgot it was supposed to be just an introduction to the vocals.
Eventually the vocals do come, with that iconic opening line, “Sit yourself down girl and talk to me,” and the repeated calls of “Let’s Straighten It Out.” From Straight butta to melted butta in your ears. Latimore’s voice is sorta like a more countrified version of Isaac Hayes, heavy in tone and drenched in soul. I especially love how he’s able to shift emotions slightly throughout the song, sometimes from word to word in his phrasing, sounding frustrated, confused, concerned, sympathetic, playful and even suggestive throughout.
“Ain’t Nobody Gonna Make Me Change My Mind” works almost as a follow up to “Straighten It Out” similar vibe, slightly different message, but so damn smooth. My other fave from this record “Put Pride Aside” rounds out the trilogy of lovin’ with some additional words of wisdom from our man Benny Latimore. It’s no surprise after a single listen that “Let’s Straighten It Out” was a hit when originally released, #1 on the R&B charts, and even charting well on the more “mainstream” Billboard chart too. That might explain why, even though I see this record fairly often, I rarely come across a copy that’s in very good condition. Sometimes that’s just the mark of a popular record, other times it’s the mark of a classic and this one is a classic through and through.
Cheers,
Michael