Al Green : Love Ritual
Following 12 straight gold records in the US , and getting scalded with hot grits from a woman who then shot herself to death, Al Green was well on his way choosing gospel over soul. On yet another terrific Al Green/Willie Mitchell collaboration, Al Green Is Love, there's even a six minute song called "The Love Sermon" in which the future Reverend Green preaches he wants to do all the things to you/ the married men won't do. But the stand out is "Love Ritual", with its African-percussion meets Memphis strings vibe. Green can even be heard chanting "Bwana Bwana!". As far as I know, he's never revisited this sound which makes it even more fascinating.
Al Green is love indeed.
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