Rare+earth

Rare Earth is an American rock band affiliated with Motown's Rare Earth record label (named after the band), which prospered from 1970–1972. Although not the first white band signed to Motown, Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members…

The first album of new material from the new look Rare Earth features a nice piece of artwork on the front. Beyond the sleeve is a set of new material plus some covers. Of the latter, the band strangely choose to re-visit "Tobacco Road" from their first Get Ready album. The inclusion of Lennon and McCartney's "Lady Madonna" and the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There" doesn't really do them any favours. Far more interesting are the newer songs…

The difference with this album and Rare Earth's previous release in 1978 is that the Grand Slam LP featured a Barry Gibb and Albhy Galuten tune with no input from those two individuals. The addition of Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and Robin Gibb on "Warm Ride" off this quick follow-up features the Bee Gees singing, and it's that extra attention which made this the last of Rare Earth's half-a-dozen 1970s hits. What was really needed, though, was production from Barry, Robin, Maurice, and their partners in crime, Karl Richardson and Albhy Galuten, skills which might've brought the single "Warm Ride" further up the charts…

Clocking in at 75 minutes, this single-CD release is probably as much Rare Earth as most casual fans want (even though it only contains nine songs), and as a mid-priced item it's doubly attractive…

Two strong tracks propelled Ecology up the pop charts: the swaggering, bravado-laden "Born to Wander," written by Tom Baird, and a hard-hitting, rocking rendition of the Temptations' "I Know I'm Losing You," written by Cornelius Grant, Eddie Holland, and Norman Whitfield; the epic remake of the latter is almost eleven minutes of pure funk-rock…

Rare Earth's Motown debut is as well-oiled as a new V-8, and so are its liner notes: "In this age of ego-tripping freak bands, Rare Earth has stood pretty much alone. Each cat stands handsomely tall as if from a fashion rack at Carnaby…

This is part of Sony Music's budget cd releases and it's an excellent live recording of Rare Earth as they sound today. For those interested there are three original members of the group but drummer Peter Rivera who sang "Get Ready" and "I Just Want To Celebrate" plus many more is no longer with Rare Earth, having left to pursue a solo career in the early eighties…