The Magic of The Classic Example

I'm not sure quite how to explain my fascination with this record. Simply put, it is a soul record. One of countless soul records in my crates. As I've moved past my twenties, my appreciation for soul music has increased deeply, and these records get more spins. I'm getting soft. Its true. I'm ok with that. I'm ok balancing out James Brown with The Whispers. I have a new appreciation for Curtis Mayfield albums. I'm not fighting this new reality. But still, this album is something else altogether.

It came out on the GSF label which was also home to the mighty Skull Snaps, Joe Quaterman & Free Soul, and a number of other coveted funk/soul releases. In fact, I've only ever found 1 weak album on the label:

Avoid this.

The Classic Example is produced in a strange sort of way by W. Stevenson and C. Colbert. There is clearly a very specific vision for the feel of the album, and it feels like it was meticulously crafted. Big strings. Reverb. It recalls bits of the Wall of Sound, but it feels different. Maybe updated, or maybe just the same ideas in the hands of different producers. I can't quite put my finger on it.

It retains some of the innocence of the late '60s, even though it was released a few years into the '70s. This innocence is reflected in the lyrics, the vocal performance, and in the production as well. The singers are very capable, and they have the best qualities of soul singers: Honesty, Vulnerability, and Sweetness. Whether or not it is, every story seems true. That sweetness makes the pain that much more bitter.

My copy of this isn't the cleanest, and it took several passes to get the levels right when I was recording this. I listened to the first side 4 or 5 times through in a row, and by the time I got it right, I was a bit drained. Its like that.

The session was backed by top players: Paul Humphrey, Wilton Felder, and Joe Sample. The musicianship is outstanding, but I wouldn't have guessed these were the players. They all lay in the cut. I always wonder when session guys of this caliber show up on small label LPs whether or not they would ever think about the session again. I wonder if these guys even remember this LP. I wonder if they have any idea how coveted it is today.





Enjoy.