We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
You wouldn’t think that musical worlds of John Coltrane and Felix Cavaliere would have mixed together but in 1971 the Rascals released a double LP called “Peaceful World” that was more jazz than the blue-eyed soul they were known for.
With Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish departing in 1970, the Rascals were down to keyboardist Cavaliere and drummer Dino Danelli. They were also on a new record label and Columbia was content to let Cavaliere explore his jazz interests on the new record. It turned out great and yet didn’t sell. As is the case many times, when a band changes direction, many of its fans don’t want to come along.
This is another album I had never heard until I listened to it last week. I’m sorry I missed it the first time around. It’s pretty damn good. Cavaliere is in fine voice and delivers some really good keyboard solos…check out “Love Letter” and the title track. Danelli’s drumming is solid throughout . But it is the guest muscians that take this to the next level.
They had added guitarist Buzz Feiten to replace Cornish and he is a wonder. He had replaced Elvin Bishop in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and had cut his chops with that sterling outfit. He shines on a number of cuts including a great solo on “Love Me”, a track that shows that Felix and the gang had been listening to some Sly Stone records. He also delivers a fine solos on “Love Letter” , the gospel tune “Getting Nearer” and the title track.
Felix brought in a number of jazz giants to accomplish his vision. Ron Carter, Pops Popwell, Jerry Jemmott and studio ace Chuck Rainey man the bass and the bottom is well-served. Pepper Adams and Joe Farrell are here on sax with Farrell joining Hubert Laws on some marvelous flute work. There are a bunch of other horn players on the record and veteran Ralph McDonald contributes some tasty percussion. Annie Sutton contributes some harmonies and even Alice Coltrane brought her harp for a guest appearance.
It’s not all jazz. Caviliere is still able to conjure up some of that Rascal soul magic on cuts like “Bit of Heaven”, “Happy Song” and “In and Out Of Love”. The album starts with a nice instrumental called “Sky Trane” that signals where we are headed…and closes with a 21 minute jam on the title track that features all kinds of goodness.
It’s too bad that this did not find an audience and after one more Columbia LP, the Rascals were done. This is a happy accident…two musical worlds collide and the sound is a tasty treat…enjoy!
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