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90Artist: The RelativesAlbum: Goodbye WorldLabel: Luv N HaightRelease Date: 04/29/2016
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The RelativesGoodbye WorldAlbum Reviews | July 26th, 2016
Originally hailing from Dallas, Texas, theRelatives fuse rump shaking funk with thegood word of God. Lead singer Gean Westgrew up in a musical family who hostedtravelling stars such as Sam Cooke, ArethaFranklin, Tina Turner, and the StaplesSingers. Mr.West started his career intraditional gospel music, but by the late1960’s began to combine thecontemporary sounds of Jimi Hendrix andSly Stone with the message of thePentecostal church. The Relativescontinued to perform throughout the 70’s,but called it quits in 1980. Luckily, acracked ‘45 found its way into the hands ofAustin record collector and Dj NoelWaggener, who helped resurrect thegroup’s career.
The Relatives latest release Goodbye World fuses Gospel and Psychedelia that’s goodfor the soul. Sadly, the title is appropriate as Mr.West recently passed, but his spiritlives on through the music. The �rst track “Rational Culture/Testimony” simmers withguitar licks by original axeman Charles Ray “Gypsy” Mitchell whose style brings to mind
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Parliament Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel. With falsetto backing vocals by brothers Tommy,Tyrone and Cedric, Gene sings, “He’s gonna rule the world/don’tchya’know/we gottaput it together/put it together.” Mr.West testi�es with an epic sermon about howdespite his health problems, he was called back by the Lord to keep on preachin’. “Igot so sick that the doctors thought I wasn’t gonna make it/I had tubes all over mybody/the church went on their knees/the heaven bust open/when the prayer wentthrough/it stopped God in his tracks/ and he stood still and said, I hear my peoplecalling me/somebody call my name/and God seen �t said, well Gene the church doneprayed for you/I’m sending you back/and I want you to work for me/don’t let me downson/ God, control, this universe.”
“No Man Is An Island” begins with classic R&B vocal stylings and spreads an importantmessage that Dallas and all of America could use these days. “And we ought to try todefend, yeah/treat each man as your brother/and each man as your friend.” The restof the album grooves and oozes with positive vibrations and uplifting tunes.
It’s impossible to resist the Relatives. They heal through funk, and their conviction inthe power of God through music is infectious. Theirs is an electric soul church we’d allbe wise to attend. Say a little prayer for brother Gene and dig the Relatives. Hallelujah!
– Mike Cobb
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