The Staples: “Unlock Your Mind” (1978/2020) CD Review

The Staple Singers had changed their name to The Staples for the group’s 1976 LP, Pass It On, and continued to use that name through their 1978 release, Unlock Your Mind, which is now being re-issued along with three other albums from the 1970s. For this one, the group returned to Muscle Shoals, hoping to recapture some of the magic of their early 1970s Stax releases. The album was produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett, and features some good and interesting choices of material. This re-issue includes one bonus track and new liner notes by Rob Bowman.

The album opens with “Chica Boom,” which was also chosen as the second single to be released from the album. It is a funky little gem featuring a taste of the social messages the group had been known for, in lines like “You bring the justice, and I’ll bring the freedom.” And the energy is certainly there, particularly in the lead vocal performance. Plus, the horn section offers some wonderful stuff. This song was written and originally recorded by Jimmie Cameron and Vella Cameron. “I’ll take the high road, and you take the low road,” Mavis Staples sings. Ah, these days I think the low road is much too crowded. That’s followed by “Don’t Burn Me,” a song written by the American funk and soul singer Paul Kelly (not to be confused with the Australian singer and songwriter Paul Kelly), and released as a single in 1972 and also used as the title track to his 1973 LP. The Staples deliver an excellent rendition. The song’s opening lines are “Here is my heart/Take it apart,” followed by a passionate plea to not be burned. Yeah, it is certainly a song that everyone has been able to relate to at one point or another in his or her life.  “I’ve been ripped off before/I can’t take it no more.” It seems that the entire country could be shouting out those lines at this point.

A delicious, classic groove is established at the beginning of “(Shu-Doo-Pa-Poo-Poop) Love Being Your Fool,” and it seems things are now really getting going. This song was written by Jerry Williams and Charlie Whitehead, and recorded by Charlie Whitehead. It was also a hit for Travis Wammack. I think this version by The Staples is even better. It is a fun and light number featuring a delicious little lead on saxophone, followed by one of those enjoyable sections of vocals and percussion. This is where that Muscle Shoals magic shines. That’s followed by a cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Showdown,” which features another strong groove. I am seriously digging that bass. This is an interesting choice, and I like how they handle it. There is something kind of sexy about it, and it develops into a cool jam. We then get the album’s title track, which was also the song chosen to be the first single released from it. This one has a lighter, cheerful groove, and seems to offer a friendly hand and some advice. “You can’t look back/You gotta look ahead instead/So many good things are passing you by/Because all you do now is sit around and moan and cry.” It is a get-up-and-dust-yourself-off kind of message that can all use now and again.

The group then goes more into gospel with a wonderful rendition of “Handwriting On The Wall,” featuring some exciting, uplifting vocal work. This is a song to make you smile and get you on your feet. These guys are masters at this kind of material, and this track is a highlight of the album. It is followed by “Mystery Train,” a song I’ve loved since I first heard it in my early teens. The Staples deliver a good rendition, with Pops taking lead vocals duty. This track also features some good work by John Noski on harmonica. It was paired with “Unlock Your Mind” on the single. Then “Leave It All Up To Love” has an easygoing vibe and a simple, but positive message. Will love be enough to see us through? I hope so. “Ain’t it kind of strange how everyone’s complaining about being all alone by yourself” is a line that has a bit of a different meaning during the pandemic, eh? That’s followed by “I Want You To Dance,” an enjoyable track. There isn’t a whole lot happening with this one, but it has a sweet vibe. The original album concludes with “God Can,” another song written by Paul Kelly, this one from his 1977 LP Stand On The Positive Side. Here The Staples deliver a beautiful rendition featuring some gorgeous vocals. It feels like a song that could unite us all. “But though man can do a lot of things/Man, he’s limited/Can you catch the wind/Can you make the world spin/Can you pull the sun down/Can you make man from the ground/Oh no, but I know who can.” Partway through, Pops delivered some of the lyrics almost like spoken word. It’s a strong ending to the original album.

Bonus Track

This disc contains just one bonus track, the single version of “Chica Boom,” which is only eighteen seconds shorter than the album version.

CD Track List

1. Chica Boom
2. Don’t Burn Me
3. (Shu-Doo-Pa-Poo-Poop) Love Being Your Food
4. Showdown
5. Unlock Your Mind
6. Handwriting On The Wall
7. Mystery Train
8. Leave It All Up To Love
9. I Want You To Dance
10. God Can
11. Chica Boom (Single Edit)

This re-issue of Unlock Your Mind is scheduled to be released on June 26, 2020 through Omnivore Recordings. Also scheduled to be released that day is the re-issue of Family Tree.