What I wouldn't give to hear this in a modern, high-resolution format. Such a beautiful album, by such a beautiful man. For me, it's almost up there with
What's Goin' On?--only its spirituality is more "mystical," in a way. (The opening track is reminiscent of what Alice Coltrane was doing around the same time.)
My ratings on these "legacy" formats depend so much on the sound quality of the source. I have this album in both a CD-4 decode and a QR transfer, and sadly, neither of the sources was in top shape. (Even the quad reel suffers from the sorts of high-frequency roll-off and speed fluctuations you normally expect from an 8-track. Also: not a lot of dynamic range.) So for that reason, sonics come in at around a "6." (
@ForagingRhino:
puh-leeze persuade the suits to revive the Quadio program. Release them all as 96/24 FLAC downloads to save on manufacturing and distribution! We'll buy!!!)
The Tom Dowd mix? Four-corner vocals, which I don't find all that exciting--although what's not to like about Donny Hathaway's vocals, however many corners they're in? Otherwise good separation & definition, and the orchestral arrangements are enveloping. Hathaway's organ & keys often foregrounded, guitar work (by Hugh Cornell Dupree, McCracken & others) nicely isolated. "8."
It's the content that gets an unequivocal 10 (with the possible exception of the rinky-tinky "Magdalena"). Deep, soulful material. Great, bluesy arrangements. And the players on this album! Besides who I've already mentioned: Joe Newman, David "Fathead" Newman, Hubie Laws, Stanley Clarke, Don Butterfield, Rick Marotta...these are top-drawer guys with serious jazz chops. (And don't miss Willie Weeks's funky bass on "The Slums.")
I guess that averages out to an "8." I'd go higher if I could find a better sounding conversion. This album is a lost treasure.