Gladys Knight steps out on her own – in her very first solo album, after years of recording with The Pips! The change has maybe a bit more focus on Knight's incredible vocals in the lead, but the approach is also strongly similar to the best work with The Pips at the same period – with the Jim Gilstrap singers providing backup vocals, but at a lighter level, with less harmonies that soar out – so that Knight really carries the tunes in a wonderful way. Most tracks are in that mellow mode that Gladys was really doing so well in the 70s – and titles include "I'm Coming Home Again", "I'm Still Caught Up With You", "The Way It Was", "I'll Take a Melody", "Love Gives You The Power", and "Sail Away/Freedom For The Stallion". LP, Vinyl record album

Martha Reeves' first solo album for MCA – an all-out studio affair that's quite different from her classic 60s work for Motown! The album's done in a way that really focuses on the deepest side of Martha's vocals – in a way that goes for the sort of "rootsy" soul that was cropping up heavily on majors at the start of the 70s – well-recorded in LA studio sessions, but featuring styles that were decidedly down-homey. Players on the album include Billy Preston, Dennis Doffey, Joe Sample, and Arthur Adams – all of whom bring a tightly professional focus to the backings – and Martha's helped on backup vocals by both Clydie King and Jim Gilstrap. Titles include "Power Of Love", "My Man", "Sweet Misery", "Wild Night", "You've Got Me For Company", "Storm In My Woul", "Facsimilie", and "Many Rivers To Cross". CD also features bonus tracks "Stand By Me", "Our Day Will Come", and "I Sure Do Love You" LP, Vinyl record album

A definite delight from Ronnie Foster – a post-Blue Note set that actually has the keyboardist sounding better than ever! Ronnie's always been one of those guys who seems to work best when moving against a bit of structure – and here, that force is provided by the excellent Jerry Peters – who's come up with some great soul backings that also have these nicely offbeat corners – more than enough to preserve some of the quirkiness of Foster's work from previous years – yet also giving him a bit more direction too! There's a bit of vocals on the set – mostly from Ronnie – with backing from Phyllis Hyman, Jim Gilstrap, and Peters himself. Titles include "Argentina", "We As Love", "Let Me In Your Life", "I've Got Your Love", and "When Will I Write You A Song?". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best solo records from Harvey Mason – best known as the drummer on some really monster 70s funky fusion sessions (such as Johnny Hammond's Gears album) – but a surprisingly well-rounded R&B artist overall! As with Norman Connors, another fusion drummer gone soul star, Harvey's working here in a style that mixes jazz influences with modern soul – grooving things for a more mainstream audience, but still keeping things real underneath. The record's filled with guest appearances by fusion greats – like Bob James, David Spinozza, Richard Tee, Lee Ritenour, and others – and Jim Gilstrap sings vocals on a cut or two. Titles include "The Race", "Groovin You", "Wave", "We Can", and "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Van McCoy, Blackbyrds, Gwen McCrae, Sugarloaf, Styx, Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes, Stylistics, Hot Chocolate, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Gloria Gaynor, Carol Douglas, Kool & The Gang, Billy Preston, George McCrae, Jim Gilstrap, Hues Corporation, Kiss, and BT Express. LP, Vinyl record album

Although this should be a "sell out" album for Stan – because it's got his tenor set amidst some sweeping larger arrangements – it's actually still a pretty dope little LP, and one that shows Turrentine's capacity for hitting a nice groove in kind of a soundtrack-y funk vein. The record features keyboards by Gene Page, who also arranged the whole thing – and it's also got a little bit of background vocals by Edna Wright and Jim Gilstrap. A nice batch of sophisticated easy tunes from Stan the Man – and with the cuts "In The Pocket", "Naked As The Day I Was Born", "Spaced", and "Black Lassie". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by The Drifters, The Globetrotters, The Futures, Jerry Butler, Jim Gilstrap, The Trammps, The Platters, Chairmen Of The Board, Benny Spellman, The Ravens, The O'Jays, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, The Tams, and The Intruders. LP, Vinyl record album