Al Green - Explores Your Mind

180 Gram Vinyl! Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!

By the time of 1974's Al Green Explores Your Mind, this version of the Memphis sound was the production style for only a handful of artists. Producer Willie Mitchell used a lighter touch for his most famous artist, and it's all but crafted into the Al Green sound. Despite his skills, Green never falls into mannerism here and gives heartfelt and cogent vocals rooted in intelligence and technique. "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," although lyrically slight, has the artist's charisma and Mitchell's pop chops. "Take Me to the River," with perfect backing from Hi Rhythm and a horn and string arrangement, finds Green at his most persuasive. The last track, "School Days," has Green longing for a school girlfriend and despite the potentially sappy sentiment, it works like a charm. The greatness of Al Green Explores Your Mind comes from a collective effort, including James Mitchell's dreamlike string arrangements and the always skilled backing vocals of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes. But the biggest draw here is Green's phrasing and intimate vocals, making the record an extremely strong effort.

Recorded in 1974 at Royal Recording Studios, South Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee

"Pure Pleasure has done a masterful job in re-mastering this session to audiophile vinyl. Green's smooth tones have a rich texture, even in falsetto. The strings and horn volume levels are just right, never becoming too dense. At less than thirty minutes, the album flows with grace and precision. Al Green Explores Your Mind is soulful bliss!" - Robbie Gerson, www.audaud.com, 4/5 Stars!

Features:
• 180g Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Limited Edition
• Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

Musicians:
Al Green - vocals
Horn Section:
Wayne Jackson – trumpet
Andrew Love - tenor sax
Ed Logan - tenor sax
James Mitchell - baritone sax
Jack Hale – trombone
Rhythm Section:
Howard Grimes – drums, congas, bongos
Leroy Hodges – bass
Charles Hodges – keyboards
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges – guitar
Archie Turner - piano
Michael Allen – piano
String Section:
The Memphis Strings

Selections:
Side One:
1. Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)
2. Take Me To The River
3. God Blessed Our Love
4. The City
5. One Nite Stand
Side Two:
6. I'm Hooked On You
7. Stay With Me Forever
8. Hangin' On
9. School Days