Strange Fruit (Family Vibes album)

Strange Fruit is an instrumental album by the Family Vibes. The album was released on United Artists Records in January 1972.[2] Led by Ike Turner, the Family Vibes, best known as the Kings of Rhythm, were the backing band for Ike & Tina Turner.[3]

Strange Fruit
Studio album by
Family Vibes
ReleasedJanuary 1972
RecordedOctober 1971
StudioBolic Sound (Inglewood, California)
Genre
LabelUnited Artists Records
ProducerIke Turner
Family Vibes chronology
A Black Man's Soul
(1969)		 Strange Fruit
(1972)		 Confined to Soul
(1973)
Singles from Strange Fruit
  1. "Soppin' Molasses"
    Released: April 1972
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Recording and release

Strange Fruit was recorded at Ike Turner's Bolic Sound Studios in Inglewood, California in October 1971. Turner arranged and produced the album. His sister-in-law Alline Bullock wrote two songs on the album, "Happy But Lonely" and "Bootie Lip." The latter was released as a B-side single to "Soppin' Molasses" in 1972.[4]

Critical reception

The album received positive reviews.[5]

Detroit Free Press (March 26, 1972):

Students of soul artists like Ray Charles, James Brown and Ike and Tina Turner have always known a healthy share of the success of these giants can be directly attributed to the brilliance of the backing bands. Today's No. 1 back-up band is Ike Turner's Family Vibes, which had it all covered. You thought Sly's Family Stone had energy? Chicago? Blood, Sweat & Tears? .. Family Vibes is without a question the funkiest, most forceful and rock-it-to-you band in the country. This album is a killer.[6]

Dayton Daily News (April 2, 1972):

It's all sound, baby. There is no Tina Turner on this album ... But back to this showcase of talent by Ike and the boys in the band doing a little jammin'—on their instruments, of course. Formerly, the group was called the Kings of Rhythm. They changed their name to the Family Vibes and will continue as the backup band for Ike and Tina's show."[7]

Track listing
Side 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Happy But Lonely"Aillene Bullock4:39
2."Heep-A-Hole-Lot"C. Lane3:32
3."Jumpin'"S.L. Cushenberry2:34
4."Neckin'"S.L. Cushenberry3:00
5."Bootie Lip"Aillene Bullock3:15
Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Soppin' Molasses"C. Lane, Phillip Reese2:27
2."Sweet"S.L. Cushenberry4:12
3."Sixty-Nine"S.L. Cushenberry2:42
4."D.M.Z."Aillene Bullock2:38
5."I-8-1-2 (I Ate One Too)"Phillip Reese3:17
6."Pardon Me"C. Lane2:56

Personnel
  • Arranger – Ike Turner
  • Bass – Warren Dawson
  • Baritone Saxophone – J. D. Reed
  • Drums – Soko Richardson
  • Engineer – Steve Waldman
  • Guitar – Jackie Clark
  • Organ – Ike Turner
  • Producer – Ike Turner
  • Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Smith
  • Tenor Saxophone – Larry Reed
  • Trombone – Edward Burks
  • Trumpet – Claude Williams, Mack Johnson

References
  1. "Ike Turner Presents Strange Fruit - Ike Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  2. "UA Jan. Album Showcases New Ike & Tina Band" (PDF). Cash Box: 12. December 18, 1971.
  3. "Polydor & UA Records Hold First '72 Product Meetings" (PDF). Billboard. January 22, 1972. p. 4.
  4. "New Radio Action And Billboard Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. May 6, 1972. p. 74.
  5. "Disc-O-Teen: U.S. Combos". Omaha World-Herald. April 7, 1972. p. 9.
  6. Talbert, Bob (March 26, 1972). "Record Reviews: For Film Fans, Godfather' Soundtrack". Detroit Free Press. pp. 6–0.
  7. B.W. (April 2, 1972). "Records: Mini-Reviews". Dayton Daily News. p. 18.
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