You Need This In Your Life

Mike James Kirkland: Hang On In There
From Hang On In There (Bryan, 1972)

Junior's back and a crazy work/DJ schedule have prevented me from updating for a minute, but it's time to hit you with a heavy one. This is one of those records which gets better and better with each listen. The whole of side one vibrates with an energy and itensity that's hard to match, yet it's a very relaxing and even affirming record.

Hang On In There recieves frequent comparisons to What's Going On, for fairly obvious reasons. Similar themes run through the two records, soulfullness seeps from both, and each features a song structure in which individual tracks segue into one another. Hang On In There almost does play as a companion peice to Marvin Gaye's landmark album. But while both are very thoughtfull records, Kirkland's addresses the listener directly more than Gaye's more introspective work. It also features some fantastically undeniable grooves, like the title track.

Once the bassline drops on "Hang On In There," it's pure bliss. This record recives a fair amount of hype due to its rarity, and perhaps in small part to it being sampled. But unlike so many records which are consistantly featured on "walls of fame," this one truly delivers. Depth, beauty, and a head shaking groove; there's really not much more to ask for. Right on.