Graham Central Station – “Release Yourself” – [Sire/Warner Bros. Records]

Larry Graham: original member of Sly and the Family Stone, bassist for Betty Davis, collaborator and converter of Prince to Jehovah’s Witness, originator of the “slap bass” style which revolutionized funk and later, rock. Larry Graham, founder of Graham Central Station, a sort of rotating funk/soul super group. From 1974, “Release Yourself” is GCS’s second release and it works his gospel revival meets funk crossroads style that really, really works. Larry and his top notch bandmates know how to get the funk out, even when praising the Lord. If you were’t aware of the angle GCS was coming from, you’d think from the song titles that this was a classic mid 70’s funk album about, what else?, sex. “Feel the Need”, “Release Yourself”, “Got to Go Through It to Get to It”. Come on. It just screams sexy funk. But this is all about being saved AND DON’T LET THAT TURN YOU AWAY!!!! GCS takes their seven songs and funks themselves out, slapping the bass, hitting it on the one, gospel revivaling and mastering vocal interplay that takes the listener to a new place. The musicianship is the best. You know they mean it when they sing out “come on and feel it, feel it, feel it.” Just let go and let Larry. You know you want to.