The elusive gemstone of 1970s Harlem souland funk from the Ray Alexander Technique,officially reissued for the first time withbonus tracks and previously unreleasedalternate mixes.Renowned for its enviable combination of musicalmuscle and malleability, guitarist / songwriterRaymond Alexander Jenkins’ tight four-piece unit wasso revered on the uptown club circuit that it wasoffered the opportunity to serve as the Apollo Theaterhouse band. Jenkins demurred, hopeful andconfident in his group’s chances at making it onits own, and Let’s Talk is the sublime result oftheir hard work.Independently released and recorded with a distinctlylo-fi charm, it is a collection of unabashedly sinceresongs that perfectly encapsulates the era’s headymilieu of Black pride and cultural awareness, and theplaintive emotion of struggling to realize dreamswhilst navigating a city and neighborhood in decline.Personal tragedy coupled with Jenkins’ inability togain traction as a musician, would haunt him foryears. But Let’s Talk’s reputation would eventuallyspread via word-of-mouth praise amongst soul andfunk connoisseurs and record collectors. Nowelevated to exalted status, it may finally be morewidely appreciated as a testament to Jenkins’ gifts.
- 1. Let's Talk (Vocal)
- 2. Let's Talk (Instrumental)
- 3. My Special One
- 4. Taking the Long Way Home
- 5. I'm In Love With You
- 6. My World
- 7. I Don't Bite
- 8. Wiser and Deeper
- 9. Save Me
- 10. I Wonder Why
- 11. Let's Talk (Mix One)
- 12. Let's Talk (Mix Two)
- 13. My Special One (Mix One)
- 14. My Special One (Mix Two)
- 15. My Special One (Mix Three)
- 16. Wiser and Deeper (Mix One)
- 17. Wiser and Deeper (Mix Two)
- 18. Wiser and Deeper (Mix Three)
- 19. I Don't Bite (Alternate Master Tape Mix)
