High Voltage is a 1972 album by the funk rock group High Voltage. The album and single were well-received by the major music trade magazines that year.
Background High Voltage was fronted by Lalomie Washburn who had previously shared the bill with artists cuch as Ike and Tina Turner. The group released one album before breaking up.The Second Disc, July 19, 2018 - Her Music Is Hot: Cherry Red, Robinsongs Reissue Rare R&B from Lalomie Washburn By Joe Marchese The self-titled album was released on Columbia KC31376 in 1972.Jazz Rock Soul, 14 Jan 2021 - High VoltageBillboard, August 19, 1972 - Page 47 New LP/Tape Releases, HIGH VOLTAGE High Voltage (LP) Columbia KC31376
Reception The album was one of the Special Merit Picks in the 26 August issue of Billboard where it was given a very good review with the reviewer calling it powerful but not overpowering. The tracks selected for mention were, "Everybody Is an Only Child", "Love Hate" and "Let Me Ride".Billboard, August 26, 1972 - Page 74 Album Reviews, SPECIAL MERIT PICKS, POP, HIGH VOLTAGE -Columbia KC 31976
In later years, Trakbuv reviewed the album for Funk My Soul where it was referred to as an important LP with a raw and funky sound and it was reminiscent of Rufus's debut album. The album also had musicians playing on it who were from Maxayn and would be in Rufus.Funk My Soul - High Voltage – 1972 – High Voltage, Review by Trakbuv
Airplay The tracks seeing action at WKTK-FM for the week of 26 August were "Save Me", "Crumbs Off the Table" and "Country Road.Billboard, August 26, 1972 - Page 20 Billboard FM ACTION, Also Recommended, HIGH VOLTAGE, "High Voltage," Columbia It was also seeing play action at WKTK-FM in Baltimore.Record World, August 26, 1972 - Page 24 THE FM AIPLAY REPORT, WKTK-FM BALTIMORE, HIGH VOLTAGE-Columbia
Sales According to the Retail Report in the 16 September issue of Record World, the album was one of the ten albums seeing action at Foley's in Houston.Record World, September 16, 1972 - Page 31 THE RETAIL REPORT, FOLEY'S/HOUSTON, HIGH VOLTAGE-Col
Single The group covered a Mark Farner song "Country Road". The record was given a good review in the 7 October issue of Cash Box. The reviewer wrote that High Voltage were the exact words that summed up all of what was contained in the single and it should electrify all of the Top 40 stations.Cash Box, October 7, 1972 - Page 19 cash box / singles reviews, Choice Programming, HIGH VOLTAGE (Columbia 45701) Country Road
The single was one of the Record World Single Picks for the week of 7 October. The reviewer wrote that the song's title didn't give much of an indication of the rocking horn sound that was in the grooves. The advice was to get down and get with it.Record World, October 7, 1972 - Page 10 RECORD WORLD SINGLE PICKS, HIGH VOLTAGE-Columbia 45701 COUNTRY ROAD (Storybook, BMI)
In the 18 November issue of Record World, Kal Rudman had "Country Road" as the Super left-field pick of the week. He said that the track was "black" even though he thought that High Voltage was a white group. It was perfect for discotheque. He said that the brass was the best thing since Chicago and there was no doubt in his mind that Columbia would break it in R&B.Record World, November 18, 1972 - Page 22 MONEY MUSIC By KAL RUDMAN, Super left -field pick of the week: "Country Road" High Voltage Columbia
Track listing A "Country Road", M. Farner - 3:35 "Love Hate", F. Allen - 2:57 "What Can We Do", M. A. Lewis - 3:03 "Save Me", D. Greer, G. Jackson - 3:36 "Crazy", M. Fugate - 7:25 B "Limbo", W. B. McPherson - 3:00 "Be", M. Fugate - 3:05 "Crumbs Off the Table", E. Wayne, R. Dunbar, S. Payne - 3:47 "Everybody Is an Only Child", A. O'Day - 4:17 "Roller", W. B. McPherson - 3:08 "Let Me Ride", J. Taylor - 2:37
Album details Musicians Bass - Bobby Watson Drums - Fred Allen Guitar - Marlo Henderson Guitar - Tony Maiden Flute - Billy McPherson Organ - Andre Lewis Piano - Billy McPherson Clarinet - Billy McPherson Sax - Mark Williams Sax - Billy McPherson Trumpet - Chuck Findley Trumpet - Chuck Garnett Background vocals - Maxayn Lewis Vocals - Tony Maiden Vocals- LaLomie Washburn Session Days - 1972 High Voltage – High Voltage, Musicians
Other Producer – Frank Cook Arranger – Billy McPherson, Mark Williams Arranger (horns, strings) – Mark Williams (Track 9) Engineer – George Beauregard, Sy Mitchell
Artwork – Joe Garnett Design – Nancy Donald Photography – Ellen Landweber, Gary Licastro
Mastered At Customatrix Remixed At Sound Labs, Hollywood Recorded At Columbia Studios, Hollywood Phonographic Copyright (p) CBS Inc Session Days - 1972 High Voltage – High Voltage, Liner Notes
References
External links Discogs - High Voltage (4) – High Voltage brico channel, Jan 5, 2018 - High Voltage - Country Road (audio) High Voltage - Topic channel, Jul 21, 2022 - Crumbs Off the Table (audio)