The Radiants – The Singles Collection 1962-1970 / Rack O’ Ribs CD-4544

Description

The Regal Theater Presents the Radiants: The Singles Collection 1962-1970, reviewed by Andrew Hamilton

When Rack O’ Ribs Records released The Regal Theater Presents the Radiants: The Singles Collection 1962-1970, fans of this underrated and neglected Chicago group literally jumped through hoops. For years, you couldn’t find an album or single by them. The Rack O’ Ribs CD is a complete account of the original Radiants when Maurice McAlister sang lead and wrote most of their material. It’s also the only CD that covers McAlister and McLauren Green‘s career as Maurice & Mac.

This excellent collection features the original group with their original lead Maurice McCalister, who if nurtured like the Motown artists would have made bold marks in the music industry. Unfortunately, he did his best work for Chess Records who didn’t exactly groom their artists.

Everything the Radiants recorded with the possible exception of some unknown vault cuts is on this CD. The title is misleading, as not all of the tracks are by the Radiants. Two cuts (“I’d Rather Do It Myself” and “Baby Hang On”) are both sides of a solo by McCalister, and nine are deep soul slayers recorded with ex-Radiants original McLarin Green as Maurice & Mac. According to McCalister, he made more money touring the South as Maurice & Mac then he ever did with the Radiants. The duo’s stark, gutbucket sides are all here, including “You Left the Water Running,” “Lean on Me,” “Lay It on Me,” and others. McCalister is heard on many cuts exhorting Green to “Sing it Mac.” Their inclusion gives the compilation a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde feel as the duo’s tracks are a complete departure from what the Radiants were about. The Radiants thrilled Midwesterners with catchy creations from McCalister’s pen such as “Father Knows Best,” “Heartbreak Society,” “Shy Guy,” and “I Gotta Dance to Keep My Baby” — all on this collection — long before they went national with “Voice Your Choice” and “It Ain’t No Big Thing.” Rack O Ribs Records tacked on every B-side including “I’m in Love,” “Noble the Bargain Man,” and “One Day I’ll Show You.” They mimic the Impressions on “Whole Lotta Woman” and you won’t be able to resist “Baby You’ve Got It.” What more could you ask for? This thorough collection is long overdue.

– from the review by Andrew Hamilton

Tracks:

1    The Radiants– Father Knows Best
2    The Radiants– One Day I’ll Show You
3    The Radiants– Shy Guy
4    The Radiants– I’m In Love
5    The Radiants– Heartbreak Society
6    The Radiants– Please Don’t Leave Me
7    The Radiants– Voice Your Choice
8   The Radiants– If I Only Had You
9   The Radiants– It Ain’t No Big Thing
10  The Radiants– I’ve Got A Girl
11  The Radiants– I’ve Gotta Dance To Keep My Baby
12  The Radiants– Noble The Bargain Man
13  The Radiants– Whole Lot Of Woman
14  The Radiants– Tomorrow
15  The Radiants– Baby, You Got It
16  The Radiants– I Want To Thank You

17  Maurice McAlister– I’d Rather Do It Myself
18  Maurice McAlister– Baby Hang On

19  Maurice & Mac– You Left The Water Running
20  Maurice & Mac– Oh What A Time
21  Maurice & Mac– What I Am Going To Do
22  Maurice & Mac– Lay It On Me
23  Maurice & Mac– Baby You’re The One
24  Maurice & Mac– I’m Afraid To Let You Know
25  Maurice & Mac– Try Me
26  Maurice & Mac– Lean On Me
27  Maurice & Mac– Love Power