The Very Best of Rare Earth

Before the rise of the Average White Band in the mid-'70s, the most successful blue-eyed soul unit was Rare Earth (although the Spencer Davis Group was also quite popular). Influenced by Sly & the Family Stone and the artists of Motown as well as '60s rockers like the Kinks, Rare Earth had a distinctive sound and offered some of the most exciting music of 1969-1973. The Detroit outfit didn't fare as well among black audiences as AWB; Earth recordings that soared to the top of the pop charts only went to number 20 or number 30 on the R&B charts (probably because Earth was much more rock-influenced than AWB). At any rate, this gem-filled CD illustrates just how Earth could be. Spanning 1969-1978, The Very Best of Rare Earth boasts such essential hits as "I Just Want to Celebrate," "Get Ready" and "I Know (I'm Losing You)." If much of the material reminds you of Norman Whitfield's work with the Temptations, and Edwin Starr, it's no coincidence; Earth often worked with the great Motown producer/songwriter. In fact, "Hum Along and Dance," "Big John," and "Ma" are among the most rock-influenced recordings that Whitfield ever produced. But at the same time, Earth was much too funky for some rock programmers. "Warm Ride" (1978) finds the band being produced by the Bee Gees and taking a stab at disco; the results are decent, though not nearly as strong as its earlier work. Most of the material, however, isn't simply decent, it's excellent.