Originally
formed in 1991 as a loose funk collective Mother Earth became the
link between sixties rock and latter day soul and funk in the
nineties. In those days Acid Jazz led and others followed and
Mother Earth were the first and biggest of it's exponents.
Thus to learn of this album of
rare and previously unreleased material featuring several famous
artists including Paul Weller, Gregory Isaacs and Tom Robinson
was to conjure up memories of a long lost youth when I discovered
that the rock guitar did not fit into my idea of funk and
soul.
That is my only criticism to the
style of Mother Earth which as conveyed on this album has at it's
centre a heck of a lot of soul and real funk but utilises the guitar
far too much in the conveyancing of it's songs.
Think of a combination of Tower
Of Power without the legendary Horn Section and the James
Taylor Quartet with a rock guitar and you have the Sound of
Mother Earth. Though at cult status in Japan and a live sound to die
for it is the newer tracks that appeal the most.
The Gil Scott Heron written
first track is a fine exponent of the Mirth's raw funk and jazz
style that appealed to the Mods of us and with the inclusion of an
updated version complete with biting political comment from Mr
Robinson of ' Power In the Darkness ' the scene is set to explore
further. Which bodes well to seek out possibly there best album on
Acid Jazz from 1993 'The People Tree ' and the new music that
they are rumouring to be working on. All in all raw soul with
some funk and real emotion from the East End of London just
seek track four of the album it's goosebump material and worth the
price of purchase alone. Welcome Back. Mirth !!
