Ann Peebles: This Is Heaven - 1977

In 1977, things were changing in soul music - D. I. S. C. O. Even legendary cookin' soul labels like Hi Records were not immune. They had to get in on the act too and, although this, Ann's first release for two years, was still Willie Mitchell-produced, there are definite nods to the dance floor present here. Rather like Curtis Mayfield’s output at the same time, there is a softer, more disco-oriented groove to the sound. The horns, for example are now delivered by the sweeter-sounding disco-ish South Memphis Horns, as opposed to the iconic Memphis Horns. Strings are clearly present, sweeping over the melody in true disco style. Check out the album's opener, If This is Heaven, as a fine example. What is never in doubt, however, is that our Ann had one hell of a voice. She sounds great on what is, for me anyway, a really, really good track. Yes, the horns are softer, but in a good way. They perfectly suit the track. Sure, I love the earlier raw and punchy sound, but I like this mellower one too, and too much of the same thing is not always advisable, is it? Artists sometimes have to change a bit but it is a shame when it doesn't always bring bout the required appreciation.

Apparently, the change of sonic emphasis didn't go down well with many of Ann's long-time Memphis sound fans and the album didn't sell well, which was a shame because it's still a mighty fine offering in my view.  

A Good Day For Lovin' is funky as hell, in my opinion, and despite its string backing it kicks unholy ass and is a great one to get a dance floor grooving. The horns are still powerful, the bass throbbing and the drums still fatback. Ann's voice carries it along perfectly. I repeat - it's funky as fuck.

I'm So Thankful is a fine, soulful kitchen sink song, where Ann tells us, proudly, of how she has grown from a carefree young girl into a strong, responsible woman. The song is packed full of Lord give thanks gospelly soul. I love it to bits. Lyrically, it is by far the best song on the album - mature and reflective.

Being Here With You sounds an awful lot like classic Hi Records Ann Peebles to me. Yes, there's some shimmering strings and saxophone too, but the overall feel is one of bubbling Southern soul. I would immediately have identified it as Ann Peebles if I hadn't known. Check out that superb mid-song guitar solo too. Disco? Nah. This is soul, brothers and sisters. Soul. Even the subsequent upbeat string and brass-powered Boy I Gotta Have You packs a Memphis-esque soul punch. If it carries a nod to disco's contemporary trends, it is disco, Ann Peebles style. Her strident, funky, soulful gives a gravitas to any recording she sings on. If this is disco, it comes with added balls. 

When I'm In Your Arms just oozes sweet, Southern soul. It sounds like typical Ann Peebles, to me - again. The changes here certaily aren't seismic. Maybe there is a softer, warmer sound to this, reflecting contemporary advances in production techniques. The bluesy You're Gonna Make Me Cry has incurred the wrath of many soul purists due to the use of the slightly psychedelic-sounding voice-distorting vocoder instrument. Personally, I couldn't give a monkeys - it adds an unusual quirkiness to the track. I'm certainly not going to lose sleep over it. George Martin used all sorts of things with The Beatles didn't he? As did Brian Wilson. Sometimes soul can sound a little weird, can't it? 

Anyway, Southern soul returns with a powerful punch on the brooding Games. Those damn purists got upset about this one, due to the use of rock guitars. What do they think Funkadelic used? Once more, I haven't got a problem with it. I think the strings and guitars (which actually aren't that intrusive) enhance the track. The same applies to the attractive Lovin' You Without Love. The Ann Peebles of earlier albums, with an axe to grind - had mellowed here and I can live with that.

The album closes with a wah-wah and clavinet-driven thumper in It Must Be Love, a really infectious seventies soul/funk stomper, to be sure. Could Ann cope with the demands of such a track? Of course she could. She gets on down with the best of them. 

Good album. A soul album too, not a disco one. Give the naysayers respect but ultimately a wide berth.