Graham Central Station - My Radio Sure Sounds Good to Me (1978/2008)

Benny Golson is hardly the first person one would expect to co-produce a funk/soul album. In the late '50s, the Philadelphian made a name for himself in the jazz world playing tenor sax alongside the likes of Lee Morgan and Curtis Fuller in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers -- and his name continues to be synonymous with hard bop. But there isn't a trace of bop to be found on My Radio Sure Sounds Good to Me, a funk/soul LP that Golson produced with Larry Graham. This record marked the first time that Graham called his band Larry Graham & Graham Central Station (as opposed to simply Graham Central Station). But despite the name change and despite Golson's presence, Radio is state-of-the-art GCS -- gritty 1970s funk jams ("Pow," "Boogie Witcha, Baby," "It's the Engine in Me") are right at home with sentimental soul ballads ("Is It Love?") and gospel-influenced message songs ("Mr. Friend"). Golson handles most of the LP's horn and string arrangements, but his jazz background doesn't make its presence felt -- not even in a subtle way. Graham hired Golson to co-produce an R&B project, and he did what he was paid to do. My Radio Sure Sounds Good to Me isn't GCS' most essential album, but it's a solid effort that is easily recommended to anyone with a taste for gutsy, horn-powered 1970s funk.