Album Review: Lou Bond Re-Release

It’s rather ironic that one of the most influential names and forebearers of style in the history of music is also the one that the world knows the least about. Many artists come out of the woodwork and onto the stage for that reason alone – to be remembered by the mark they left on the music world, not by their private lives through the lens of the paparazzi or the twisted words of the tabloids. While it would have been a privilege to have more accessible resources on who Lou Bond was as far as his agenda and of course, more music, you could say that he achieved the gold status of such a marked existence.

Bond’s work has been recognized and sampled by such contemporary R&B acts as Outkast and Mary J. Blige, breathing new life into our generation. The re-release of his self-titled STAX / We Produce LP  is now available in deluxe format, with all audible bases covered (read: for the first time on CD, a vinyl re-issue, and naturally, digital).

A treat on the album of course is Bond’s lyrical commentary on things political and personal, as well as the instrumental backing by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The resulting clarity from remastering boosts the amount of intensity contained in Bond’s collective soulful sound, with the ability to reach listeners even more so regardless of age or background.

And what good would the re-release be without a few extra goodies? Featuring additional songs, the track “To the Establishment” as sampled by Outkast, and a 32-page color CD booklet with photos and lyrics are just a few of the bonus materials that take the once obscure, off-on-its-own album to an even more classic height where it deserves to be.

Lou Bond is available via Light in the Attic Records – Click to Buy

Rating: 10 out of 10

Tracklist
1. Lucky Me
2. Why Must Our Eyes Always Be Turned Backwards
3. To The Establishment
4. Let Me Into Your Life
5. Thats The Way Ive Always Heard It Should Be
6. Come On Snob
7. Im So In Love With You / Motherless Child
8. Im For You