Stairsteps
2nd Resurrection

Keni Burke and his brothers Clarence Jr, Dennis and James aka The Stairsteps recorded this beautiful album ‘2nd Resurrection’ for George Harrison’s Dark Horse label in 1976, Resurrection referring to their five year gap from the previous album . The group had started their career in 1967 and were best known for their hit ‘Ooh Child’. The brothers are in great form as singers and musicians throughout. Co-producer Billy Preston plays keyboards and Ricardo Marrero percussion, and Malcolm Cecil programs T.O.N.T.O . ‘From Us To you’ is a nice upper mid tempo track. ‘Pasado’ is a lovely slice of mid tempo Latino soul , the track was covered later on by The Pockets but this is the definitive version. ‘Time’ is a beautiful mid tempo groover illustrating great vocal harmonies. ‘Throwin Stones Atcha’ was ahead of its time and is appreciated more today than at the time of release, and is a slightly edgy uptempo groover. ‘Tell Me Why’ is a nice mid tempo ballad, and ‘In The Beginning’ a ballad that builds as it progresses. ‘Theme Of Angels’, ‘Far East’ and ‘Salaam’ are good instrumental tracks. This superb album really works as an album in its entirety rather than as individual highlight tracks and still sounds as good as it did in 1976. One of our top picks from RSD 23′.

Back on vinyl for the first time in since its original 1976 pressing, 2nd Resurrection by Stairsteps will be reissued on gold vinyl for RSD on Dark Horse Records, the label founded by George Harrison. Originally discovered by Curtis Mayfield, the band was previously known as The Five Stairsteps – famous for their hit song “O-o-h Child,” which saw new life recently after appearing in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Stairsteps were introduced to George Harrison by Billy Preston, who produced and played keyboards on 2nd Resurrection. The album also features contributions by Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, known for their innovative synthesizer work with Stevie Wonder.