Monday, April 12, 2004
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Bubblegum Soul
Castle Music 2003 (UK)
What we have here are 21 cuts from the late Sixties/early Seventies. I have been an outspoken fan of a sub-genre that others have ignored with a dismissive wave of the hand: bubblegum rock. Now this is splitting the hair even further: soul music with a bubblegum feel. Or bubblegum music done by soul music artists. Or, whatever. Why bother with such labels? Well, that's what us human beings do. Categorize things down to the molecule.
Having gotten that gripe out of my way, I must recommend this release highly. Yes, the best aspects of soul and bubblegum can be and were combined successfully, as this compilation clearly shows. The most well-known cuts here are "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations, and "Give Me Just A Little More Time" by the Chairmen of the Board. Now in the USA, I think most people would classify them as soul songs and not even acknowledge their bubblegum music pedigree. But these clearly share the sing-songy qualities, silly lyrics and bright sunny attitude of bubblegum rock at its best. Other less well-known cuts here prove to be obscure gems. These include the absolutely majestic "Melting Pot" by Blue Mink, The Honey Cone's "Want Ads" (one of my faves), and the most bubblegummy cut of all, the hideously rare "Eeny Meeny" by The Showstoppers. A cover of this ditty by the Ohio Express would be more than appropriate. Highly entertaining stuff all. RATING: Full retail.
See the cover
Bubblegum Soul
Castle Music 2003 (UK)
What we have here are 21 cuts from the late Sixties/early Seventies. I have been an outspoken fan of a sub-genre that others have ignored with a dismissive wave of the hand: bubblegum rock. Now this is splitting the hair even further: soul music with a bubblegum feel. Or bubblegum music done by soul music artists. Or, whatever. Why bother with such labels? Well, that's what us human beings do. Categorize things down to the molecule.
Having gotten that gripe out of my way, I must recommend this release highly. Yes, the best aspects of soul and bubblegum can be and were combined successfully, as this compilation clearly shows. The most well-known cuts here are "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations, and "Give Me Just A Little More Time" by the Chairmen of the Board. Now in the USA, I think most people would classify them as soul songs and not even acknowledge their bubblegum music pedigree. But these clearly share the sing-songy qualities, silly lyrics and bright sunny attitude of bubblegum rock at its best. Other less well-known cuts here prove to be obscure gems. These include the absolutely majestic "Melting Pot" by Blue Mink, The Honey Cone's "Want Ads" (one of my faves), and the most bubblegummy cut of all, the hideously rare "Eeny Meeny" by The Showstoppers. A cover of this ditty by the Ohio Express would be more than appropriate. Highly entertaining stuff all. RATING: Full retail.
See the cover
