The ‘lost’ album from California’s 9th Creation, ‘A Step Ahead’ was recorded in a suspiciously cheap studio in Stockton that turned out to run by drug dealers, only to be raided and the entire contents confiscated. Luckily a cassette mix down of some of the tracks was saved and nearly 40 years later we eventually hear the results. The CD version includes bonus tracks from the Love Crime 12′, the Mellow Music 7′ and 3 previously unreleased (rough) demos and the package includes a extensive liner notes and previously never seen photos of the band. So many highlights here – the rolling ‘A Step Ahead’ is full of vibrant energy, the popping soulful ‘Let It Shine’ has super soaring harmonies while ‘Beautiful Lady’ is also a really strong dancer. The slowie ‘Always Be Lovers’ is classic West Coast mid tempo soul while ‘Body Energy’ sees the band channelling their inner EWF! Also check the boogie of ‘More And More’. Utterly essential for modern soul and funky soul fans.
Track listings:
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01 A Step Ahead by 9th Creation
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02 More & More by 9th Creation
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03 Body Energy by 9th Creation
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04 Always Be Lovers by 9th Creation
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05 Let It Shine by 9th Creation
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06 Beautiful Lady by 9th Creation
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07 Party Down by 9th Creation
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08 Music Is My Pen & Paper by 9th Creation
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09 Mellow Music by 9th Creation
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10 A Step Ahead (7″ Version) by 9th Creation
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11 Love Crime by 9th Creation
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12 Maybe by 9th Creation
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13 (She’s) The Kind by 9th Creation
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14 Bygones by 9th Creation
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15 Satisfaction Guaranteed (Demo) by 9th Creation
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16 Whenever You Need Me (Demo) by 9th Creation
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17 Love Can Find A Way (Demo) by 9th Creation
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