Wade In The Water/Ain’t That Peculiar/Tobacco Road/Money In The Pocket/Message To Michael/Up Tight/Hold It Right There/Day Tripper/Mi Compasion/Hurt So Bad
Wade In The Water was the first album release from R & B/jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis after the break up of his original trio. The title track was a US No. 19 hit single and Hold It Right There won a Grammy for best R & B group performance. (US:16)
"Wade In The Water is one of my all time treasures. Not a dud track on it and is still good. The title track is still able to get people up and off their seats. Highly recommended."
"With Cleveland Eaton II (bass) and Maurice White (drums) replacing Eldee Young and Red Holt in the trio, Ramsey Lewis alters course just a bit from his handclapping soul-jazz idiom that was so popular at the time. The two new sidemen are relegated more to the background, and some punchy big band charts by Chicago's Richard Evans share the spotlight with Lewis' gospel-blues-drenched piano. Nevertheless, the old swinging fervour is left intact this time, as Lewis and company purvey a set of pop hits, with a few others worked in. They even got a large-scale hit out of the old gospel tune Wade In The Water. The best cut of the bunch is the hard-swinging, down-home treatment of the Stevie Wonder hit Up Tight, that got almost as much airplay as the title track. Like The In Crowd, this record evokes its era indelibly."
"The opening track on this album is a gem - Wade In The Water. Although credited to Ramsey Lewis on the album is in fact a traditional song with it's roots steeped in black American culture. This track is unbelievably funky and full of soul. Ramsey comes out tops every time."
"I had the LP Wade In The Water shortly after release as a long sought after 60s soul fave. True to form the title track still cooks, rounded out with great brass and sounding like it was recorded live in the studio. It is complemented by the variety of other soul hit covers Ain't That Peculiar and Up Tight, plus Ramsey's long love affair with Beatles interpretations continues."
"If your spirit needs a lift just pop this LP onto your player and enjoy the sounds of 1960s pop-jazz from the great Ramsey Lewis."
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