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This is one of my favorite CDs of all time by the genius songwriter for the Supremes, Four Tops and other great Motown acts. Dozier (of songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland) went from songwriter to singer when he and the Holland Brothers left Motown and formed Invictus Records. Dozier later went solo on ABC records and enjoyed a moderately successful R & B career with such soul classics as "Trying to Hold On to My Woman" and "Let Me Start Tonight". Dozier was not really a great singer but he was a classic song stylist who infused every one of his songs with strong, passionate vocals, excellent musicianship and consummate production values and this CD is no exception.
Every song is a claasic. "Sight for Sore Eyes" is both a smooth and hard-driving intro cut with a wonderful instrumental ending allowing the musicians to stretch out. "What Am I Gonna Do About You (Girl)" is a warning about cocaine disguised as a love song with a strong piano solo ending (Genius). "Break the Ice" is my personal favorite with a strong thumping bass break that grooves along from from 0-70 mph. (I dare you to keep your seat by the end of this song). "Tear Down the Walls" is kind of preachy and simple, but was typical of the songs of that era and the production values and harmonic background vocals carry the song. "Back To My Roots" is a 10 minute tribute to Mother Africa that goes in so many differnet directions (jazz, house music, disco, African drums, choir, chanting) that it should not work, but somehow it all does. A Masterpiece. "Family" is a plaintive but soulful prayer to GOD to keep the family together in the midst of its everyday trials. And lastly "Peddling Music on the Side" is a tribute to all of the journeymen and journeywomen singer-songwriters playing in juke joints and small clubs, struggling to break into the Top 100.
I call it a buried treasure, because few people know it exists. I recently gave a copy of this CD to a buddy of mine who thought he had every Dozier CD, but he had never heard of this one. Dozier had switched labels from ABC to Warner Brothers and I guess they didn't know how to promote him. We were also in the middle of the disco era and it was hard to break through if you didn't fit the format. So, if you want to complete your Lamont Dozier collection or if you want to take a chance on an artist who is musically at the top of his game, buy "peddling Music On The Side."
