The Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To The Streets (2016) [Hi-Res]

„Takin’ It to the Streets“ marks a high point in the Doobie Brothers’ career. The mellowed-out 1976 album is heavily influenced by the contributions of former Steely Dan members Jeff Baxter and Michael McDonald. The latter are responsible for an increase in soulful melodies and Latin-fused rhythms, which help make Takin’ It to the Streets among the most enjoyably chill recordings of the era. Sonic charms are everywhere, particularly on the joyful title cut, an example of the band’s conscious embrace of R&B foundations and gospel accents. This is music designed for celebrating, relaxing, and romancing.

„The group's first album with Michael McDonald marked a shift to a more mellow and self-consciously soulful sound for the Doobies, not all that different from what happened to Steely Dan -- whence McDonald (and Jeff Baxter) had come -- between, say, Can't Buy a Thrill and Pretzel Logic. They showed an ability to expand on the lyricism of Patrick Simmons and Baxter's writing on "Wheels of Fortune," while the title track introduced McDonald's white funk sound cold to their output, successfully. Simmons' "8th Avenue Shuffle" vaguely recalled "Black Water," only with an urban theme and a more self-consciously soul sound (with extraordinarily beautiful choruses and a thick, rippling guitar break). "Rio" and "It Keeps You Runnin'" both manage to sound like Steely Dan tracks -- and that's a compliment -- while Tiran Porter's hauntingly beautiful "For Someone Special" was a pure soul classic right in the midst of all of these higher-energy pieces. Tom Johnston's "Turn It Loose" is a last look back to their earlier sound, while Simmons' "Carry Me Away" shows off the new interplay and sounds that were to carry the group into the 1980s, with gorgeous playing and singing all around.“ (Bruce Eder, AMG)

Tom Johnston, guitar, lead vocals on "Turn It Loose" and Vocal on "Wheels of Fortune"
Patrick Simmons, guitar, vocals
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitar, steel guitar
Michael McDonald, keyboards, vocals
Tiran Porter, bass, vocals, Lead Vocal on "For Someone Special"
John Hartman, drums
Keith Knudsen, drums, vocals
Additional musicians:
The Memphis Horns
Wayne Jackson, trumpet
Andrew Love, tenor saxophone
James Mitchell, baritone saxophone
Lewis Collins, tenor saxophone
Jack Hale, trombone
Bobby LaKind, congas
Richie Hayward, drums (with Little John) on "Wheels Of Fortune"
Novi Novog, viola on "Losin' End"
Bill Payne, organ on "Takin' It To The Streets"
Maria Muldaur, cameo vocal appearance on "Rio"
Ted Templeman, percussion

Recorded 1975 at Warner Brothers Studios, North Hollywood, California
Engineered by Donna Landee
Produced by Ted Templeman

Digitally remastered