Poison - On Our Way To Number 1 (1976) [2004, Remastered Reissue]

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Poison - On Our Way To Number 1 (1976) [2004, Remastered Reissue]

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Poison - On Our Way To Number 1 (1976) [2004, Remastered Reissue]

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Poison are a group that shot to number one only to burn out before their time. With a range as diverse as Earth, Wind & Fire and talent at vocals and instrumentation, Poison were truly poised for stardom with their 1976 debut LP. They came from Richmond, Virginia a city with a rich musical tradition worthy of Stax or Motown, but no true superstar to take things off. Poison reflected both extremes. "They were a group without a leader” manager Joseph P. Carter recalls. For musical diversity this is a blessing, but for longevity and star quality, a band needs that focal point to be grounded. After exploding on the scene in the summer of 1975 and a rousing national tour, the players returned to Richmond and told Carter they were through playing funk, and "They wanted to become a jazz band.” The best example of their funk genius - and that of their hometown - is this album. The opening track OUR PLACE IN TIME - features the positive message and African thumb piano known as a Kalimba that revealed their deep appreciation for Earth Wind & Fire's music and vision. DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO - was penned by manager Joe Carter, and the rich vocals and celebrations of freedom give the song a great Sly Stone feel. On HOW I WISH FOR YESTERDAY - the strong vocal harmonies prove this band could handle the ballads. MAGIC WORDS - was a driving rock jam with a nod to the Commodores, while COSMIC DANCING featured a wild early disco sound reminiscent of the Kay Gees or Crown Heights Affair. LET ME LAY MY FUNK ON YOU - was the single, which charted in August of 1975. The fast & jerky funk blast featured straight up P-Funk chants “I used to steal from P-funk without stealing from them” band manager Joe Carter recalled. The chants have a P-Funk vamp, but the horns and clavinet driven groove is all theirs. This monster jam set the band in motion and led to an appearance on Soul Train on August 25,1975. UNITY MAN - Punishing rhythms highlight this badass African rhythm vamp. It has a clear resonance with the Meters, or better yet, Mandrill. On YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM YOURSELF - Janet "Cookie" Cook is featured on this breezy, Donald Byrd style floating jam. LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING - Played on the telephone company slogan and gave it a more sultry Chi-lites/Marvin Gaye style. MUSIC IS OUR DESTINY resonates with a tight early 70's Kool & the Gang horn driven funk style, with hot, positive lyrics. Their ode to disco music was GET UP AND MOVE YOUR BODY, which also appears on the Roulette disco compilation of the same name. Packed into this one album is a sweeping spectacle of 1970s black music at its best. It’s too bad Poison didn’t stay together long enough to reach the Number One status they had within their reach.

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Poison - On Our Way To Number 1 (1976) [2004, Remastered Reissue]

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