Eddie Kendricks has a magic wand, that moves at his command, and he wants to turn you on. Eddie Kendricks just wants to make you happy. He wants to take your frown and turn it upside down. Eddie Kendricks wants you not to be afraid to pleasure yourself. He wants you to get the cream off the top. He wants to hear your body talk. I think you see where Eddie Kendricks is coming from. He wants you to skip work today, and put on this record, and stay home with your lady or your man.
Until recently the last time I had listened to this album in its entirety was a little over six months ago, right before All Hallow´s Eve. And when that star-crossed day came around, I threw a huge party in an abandoned house, quite an event for the rather sleepy and dull city I was living in. The party was somewhat notorious, lasting until dawn. Talk of the town even. But nothing and nobody caught fire, except on the dance floor, and I think the person who fell down the stairs ended up okay.
I was stone cold sober all night but the evening is still a blur. Magick was afoot. We had a few DJs and a bunch of gear crammed into this empty space with paint all over the walls, off from the side room that had the full ceremonial workings for a black mass waiting to happen, and a skull-baby in a coffin-cradle resting in the bathroom. I didn’t get around to taking my turn at the tables until around 1 am.
I played the track “Happy.” It is one of the very distinct memories I have of the evening. The song just sends positive vibrations into the air of any space it is played, making all recipients lucky enough to be present… happy. Just damn happy. The dance floor moved to its mellow groove and I saw enough smiles to believe ever word Eddie whispered in my ear. The last time I fell in love (and this could be the last time, I don’t know) was because of that song, although I wouldn’t know that until later. The woman in question was there at that party, disguised as a burly man, and so officially meeting her didn’t quite count. But that was the beginning. And it was all Eddie Kendrick’s fault. His voice and vibe have the power to make total strangers fall in love from across a crowded room, and not even learn about it until a month or two later. He’s that good.
Damn you Eddie Kendricks.
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Bass – James Jamerson
Congas – Eddie “Bongo” Brown
Drums – Earl Palmer , Ed Green* , Harvey Mason , James Gadson
Guitar – Jay Graydon , John McGhee* , Melvin “Wah-Wah” Ragin* , Ray Parker*
Keyboards – Harold Johnson , Leonard Caston
Percussion – Bobbye Hall , Gary Coleman , Gene Estes
Producer – Brian Holland (tracks: A3) , Frank Wilson (tracks: All except A3) , Leonard Caston (tracks: All except A3)
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Tracklisting:
A1 If Anyone Can (3:22)
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield , Leonard Caston
A2 Happy (5:13)
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield , Leonard Caston
A3 Get The Cream Off The Top (3:04)
Written-By – Brian Holland , Eddie Holland*
A4 Body Talk (6:41)
Written-By – Frank Wilson , Kathy Wakefield
B1 Fortune Teller (3:32)
Written-By – Barrett Strong
B2 Skippin’ Work Today (4:35)
Written-By – J. Christopher Fox
B3 You Loved Me Then (2:30)
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield , Leonard Caston
B4 I’ve Got To Be (7:48)
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield , Leonard Caston
Not a bad song on this one. Except for Fortune Teller. That song is bad. But the rest of it is fantastic. The songwriters, especially Kathy Wakefield and Leonard Caston, really manage to provide a cohesive set of material that makes you forget that Eddie didn’t write anything on the record, it all suits his style so well. Filled with the tight hooks, arrangements, and musicianship you would only expect from Eddie in 1975, when he was really on a roll and could do no wrong.
mmmm links
Eddie Kendricks – The Hit Man (1975) 320kbs
Eddie Kendricks – The Hit Man (1975) FLAC
