Description
Higher Plane is an album by the American soul singer and songwriter Al Green, released on Hi Records in 1981, manufactured and distributed by Myrrh Records, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Bill Cantrell and Fred Jordan at American Music Recording Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with Al Green producing.
Higher Plane, Al Green – Myrrh MSB 6674 (Word).
Al follows up The Lord Will Make a Way (number one for 14 consecutive weeks on RW’s Soul & Spiritual Album Chart) with a diverse selection of songs. «Higher Plane» and «By My Side» are real rockers, while «Amazing Grace» and «People Get Ready» slow the tempo for a soulful, bluesy sound. [Record World, November 21, 1981 (Record World Gospel Album Picks)]
Al Green (the Reverend Al Green, that is), has translated his legendary soul stylings into gospel messages of power and emotion. ‘Higher Plane’ (Myrrh, MSB-667) overcomes most of the inconsistencies which marred his previous LP, ‘The Lord Will Make A Way’. Green’s self-production is more refined here, yet still very “Memphis”.
The album opens with the title track, which settles into a nice groove and stays there. «Higher Plane» is followed by a long, easy-going version of Curtis Mayfield’s «People Get Ready», then «By My Side» and «The Spirit Might Come – On and On». «His Name Is Jesus» highlights side two, which also contains a fine treatment of «Amazing Grace». In typical fashion, amid soulful ballads and gospel footstompers, he comes right off the wall at the end of the second side with «Battle Hymn of the Republic». Despite this incongruity, Al Green remains one of the more compelling vocalists of our day and ‘Higher Plane’ is a great testimony to that fact. [John W. Styll, CCM, December 1981]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/higher-plane/1049592602)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Higher Plane” – 3:37
A2. “People Get Ready” – 6:23
A3. “By My Side” – 4:18
A4. “The Spirit Might Come – On And On” – 5:23
Side Two
B1. “Where Love Rules” – 5:13
B2. “Amazing Grace” – 3:31
B3. “His Name Is Jesus” – 5:26
B4. “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” – 2:32
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.
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