Soul on Your Side

The Rhythm Makers were comprised of Emanuel Rahiem (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Sabu Crier (vocals/bass), Kenneth Banks (vocals/drums) and Herb Lane (vocals/keyboards). (The group would later score as GQ on Arista Records with "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)" and captivating renditions of Billy Stewart's "I Do You Love" and "Sitting in the Park." This first Rhythm Makers release finds the self-contained funksters performing a series of pumping instrumentals and mid-tempo songs, along with a slow jam, all led by Rahiem. "Soul on Your Side," the title track, is identical to future hit "Disco Nights"; they merely changed the words and intensified the beat on "Disco." Crier's bass establishes a floating bottom for the pulsating "Zone," a scintillating instrumental that also features Lane's imaginative keyboard work. Harmony skills are displayed on "Street Dreamin'," where former NBA star Earl "the Pearl" Monroe is mentioned as someone to aspire to be, along with other goals and dreams. "You're My Last Girl" is an airy ballad with two leads. There are nine songs in all -- no master jams, but no dogs either. [The 2007 Castle reissue includes one bonus track.] ~ Andrew Hamilton