Has Arrived

A seven-strong miscegenation band (augmented by a six-piece horn section) from Richmond, VA, featuring the production and writing skills of August Moon and lead vocalist Tyrone Thomas. Moon previously recorded obscure R&B tunes ("Wasted Years" on O'Gee Records) with no success. He co-produced this album with Thomas at the Sound Pit in Atlanta, GA, but he isn't a member of the Whole Darn Family. The tunes range from driving soul sounds as in "You Know That You Lied" to more complex numbers like "Fly Away Love Bird," which exhibits Joel Smither's lovely flute. The seven-minute instrumental "Seven Minutes of Funk" is funk-fused with jazz elements, accented by Steve Carey's synthesizer, Woody Hughes' emphatic bass playing, Tommy Bryant and Kenny Mimms' sweet guitar licks, and Thomas' steady drumming. A funky "Ain't Nothing to Do," unleashes a rock guitar punctuated by O. T. Young's conga beats and keyboardist Clinton Smith's solid playing. The teary "I'm Hurt" has a strong Al Green and Otis Redding vibe. Amherst Records owns the rights to this LP and will hopefully reissue it on CD. ~ Andrew Hamilton