The Undisputed Truth, The Undisputed Truth (1971)
Riki Gooch gave me my first taste of this album. A decade or so ago I hooked up with Riki for a small handful of drum-lessons; I could play (kinda) and was slightly nervous about getting back into it – performing in public. I knew Riki already, and sought him out because I love his musical approach, to drums, to all instruments, to music as a listener. And our “lessons” were as much about discussing music and listening to music. They were brilliant. I learned a lot. At the end of each session he’d hand me 5-6 LPs to take home and study. It wasn’t so much about playing along to any of them – it was about listening, getting ideas, thinking, and so on. And I sometimes loaned him a few records in return. But I know I got the much better deal. And this album was just a revelation – I guess the closest thing to it for me at the time was some of the places where The Temptations went. But this was just a whole other thing. Norman Whitfield: actual genius. I have thought about this album a lot over the years. I only had it at my house for a few weeks – on that initial loan. I returned it (I knew it was precious). And I carried on. Sometimes dialling up a clip or two from the YouTube. But just recently I found a copy – so I have it now. And am in love with it all over again as if it’s the first time (again).

Sample Track: You Got The Love I Need
The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown