Earth Tones - The Essential Rare Earth

This compilation is a 36-track, two-CD set chronicling the career of this interesting and too often overlooked group. It covers their entire career, and the extensive booklet included really ties up the loose ends well to provide a vivid picture of the band's career. The lead off track is one recorded by The Sunliners, the original name of Rare Earth. That track is the most different piece on the collection, coming across a very basic and straightforward rock and roll number. The remainder of the album is a bit mixed, but leans more towards the more potent end of the group's recordings. The sound of the material varies from time to time. At best, the band could be seen as a soulful and hard rocking outfit that really knew how to merge sounds of soul music with hard rock and jazz. At worst they come across as bubble gummy ‘60's pop. The album includes several previously unreleased tracks. Of course their biggest hit, "I Just Want To Celebrate" is present, as are many other originals and covers by artists such as Smokey Robinson and Ray Charles. For die-hard fans of the band, this is a must have, and it would make a great single buy for the casual Rare Earth listener.