Search - Chi-Lites :: For God's Sake Give More Power to People

A lost classic back in print.

Clark A Novak | Oceanside, CA United States | 12/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, first released in 1969, is one of the classic soul records of the era. The Chi-Lites, under the direction of Eugene Record, had been laboring away since 1965, making unexceptional sides for Mercury's Blue Rock subsidiary, when they jumped ship in '68 for greener pastures at the Brunswick organization. Brunswick at that time was a nascent Black music powerhouse, with Jackie Wilson, The Artistics, Barbara Acklin and Young-Holt Unlimited regularly climbing the R&B charts. "Power To The People" was actually their second disc for Brunswick, and it was stone cold perfect, alternating the sweet soul they untimately became known for with thumping chunks of Sly-influenced proto-funk like the title cut, the iconoclastic "We Are Neighbors" and the original version of "You Got Me Walkin'" (later to become Jackie Wilson's last substantial hit). There are no less than 5 chart hits on this amazing disc.Original vinyl copies of this record have been commanding steep prices for over 20 years (it's been cut out since Brunswick began it's death spiral during the payola scandals of 1978). If you're a fan of American soul, this should earn a place on your shelf right next to the Temptations' "All Directions", Hot Chocolate's "Cicero Park" and Al Green's "Call Me"."

Solid, smooth soul

souldrummer | Washington, DC United States | 10/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a strong classic soul offering from a consistently high-quality group. Outside of hearing "Have You Seen Her" on the radio and on several compilations, I wasn't too familiar with their sound. I'd always heard that we were a "smooth soul" group and was pleasantly surprised to hear some Sly-influenced tracks like "Give More Power". Also, I liked the fact that the bass voice was an integral part of the group sound. These four guys were not merely a lead singer star with just support harmonies. They function as a group.This isn't the most important soul album to come out from this period but you will definitely not be disappointed if you pick up this overlooked gem."

For Gods Sake

Calvin B. Miles | 02/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Lp by the group is a masterpiece, melodic and beautiful,I got into the Brunswick label as a kid going through dads crates of music I was grooving to "Who's Lovin You" by Jackie Wilson and wouldn't you know it I hear this song called 'You Got Me Walkin' comming out of the neighbors window and thought that's pretty good. I have this thing if I hear something good I want as much information about it as I can get. So I went and knocked on the door and asked a few questions. A couple of weeks later I owned my own copy. This is truly classic soul and it almost reminds me of early Phladelphia soul. Put this in your library for those rainy nights it's worth it.Ciao"