Sweet, sweet power
2007-01-17 by Tommy Squeaker
James Mason – Sweet Power Your Embrace
James Mason was a member of Roy Ayers’ band in the late 70s and played a major role in the vibraphonist’s Ubiquity classic Running Away. His debut solo album Rhythm of Life on which Sweet Power Your Embrace appears is widely regarded as a jazz funk masterpiece and has the arguably dubious honour of being credited as a huge influence by noodly acid jazz types. But fear not, it’s a rare groove work of genius with soaring strings, gliding guitars, a squidgy synth melody that threads through the middle, all building to Clarice Taylor’s angelic voice that joins the fun about halfway in. Several more of the tracks on the album are also raved about so the whole package is well worth getting hold of. Answers.com describes it as “Smoothly soulful (but not slick) and spiritually uplifting throughout”. Can’t say fairer than that. James has clearly eaten his readybrek by the look of his picture on the album cover…
James Mason, Huddersfield born star of movies such as The Seventh Veil and Salem’s Lot (with David Soul, no less) to name but two, never turned his hand to a guitar, much less a vintage synthesiser as far as I know. He was, though, a conscientious objector in the second world war – which I did not know. Good on ‘im.
Download MP3 (0:00min / 0MB)
- Buy it at Dusty Grooves
- Listen to it
- ...as part of Brian Reave's Rare Groove mix at the Deep House Page
Comments 
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A beauty. One I've heard before a few places but never been able to put a name to. I'm gonna have to hunt down this album.
Thanks Tommy