Garland Green moved operations to California in 1979 and met up with the master of Silky smoothness, Tyrone Davis, who in turn hooked Garland up with a certain Lamont Dozier. It was Dozier who, along with Arleen Schesel and Marc Kreiner, oversaw work on his excellent 1983 album for the small, independent, self titled set which is very highly sought after. One listen to this set and you will understand why it is so sought after. Fans of Dozier's work with Future Flight and Zingara will not find this work dissimilar. A wealth of LA's talented musicians also dropped in for this session - Hense Powell, "Ready" Freddie Washington, Victor Carstarphen and Sax supremo Ernie Watts, as well as Lamont Dozier very much audible on backing vocals. So, if you're a big fan of both Garland Green and Lamont Dozier then this LP is a real treat. Dozier has worked wonders with many artists and has stamped his unique style on them. The work he did in the 70s with Z.Z. Hill is a point of fact.Class is the bottom line, and the opening song, "Trying To Hold On To My Woman" is true to Garland Green's rootsy, passionate and painstaking delivery and Ernie Watts' sax tops the lot. Superb! If you love tunes to kick back to on a summer's day is your cup of tea then the sax and rhythm guitar led "Feels So Good Inside" will be just what the doctor ordered. Lamont Dozier sounds great on backing vocals too. Fans of the Solar sound will find solice with the synthy and spangly guitar filled midtempo number, "System" - a real joy to behold now as it was back then. This would fit is nicely, to be fair, with any quality cut from Lamont's "Bigger Than Life" album. A more traditional effort for both Green and Dozier is "Loves Calling" and "These Arms", the first being a ballad, the second a midtempo number of real stature. I cannot recommend this album enough, and although rare is well worth tracking down at record fairs and collector's lists.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
