Description
Caution! Steep Hill Use… is the sophomore and final album by the American R&B/funk band First Gear, released on Myrrh Records in 1974, a division of Word. The album was recorded at Brunswick Studios in Chicago, at LeFevre Sound Corp. in Atlanta, at Criteria in Miami, and at Coast Recorders in San Francisco; with Billy Ray Hearn producing. Mixed by Bruce Swedien (who later became the main engineer for Michael Jacksons studio recordings for more than two decades).
Opening with an Earth Wind & Fire-ish mover, Larnelle and crew’s follow-up album has more of a bite to it. Funkier, more electric guitar, loads of horns. As with the first LP, it’s mostly derivative – proficient but not much to distinguish it. Lyrics of titles like «Get In Gear», «Share The Feelin», «Together» and «Do You Like The Sound Of The Music» don’t give much to dig in to, but I guess the intent here is more positive-message entertainment. A pair of Seals & Crofts tunes are done and «Give Me A Break» dishes out a serious portion of mega-heavy funk. Mildly intriguing. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Get In Gear” – 3:35
A2. “Share The Feelin'” – 2:30
A3. “Ridin’ Thumb” – 3:50
A4. “Hey! Goody, Goody” – 3:15
A5. “Do You Like The Sound Of The Music” – 2:30
Side Two
B1. “Together” – 2:46
B2. “Give Me A Break” – 2:33
B3. “Sudan Village” – 3:00
B4. “Future Of Rock And Roll Is In Our Hands” – 2:25
B5. “I’m Goin’ Home” – 3:15
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