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Released 1999

This CD reissue combines Bell's final two Stax albums, 1973's Phases of Reality and Relating, in one disc. Many Stax releases in the label's final years were dull soul. But by the standards of the era, Phases of Reality was an above-average affair that was more diverse than many such efforts of the time. The three songs Bell co-wrote with guitarist Horace Shipp Jr. were socially conscious tunes in a different bag than the straightforward, romantic odes Bell usually purveyed. "Save Us" is indebted to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On era, with a Philly-influenced funk-soul groove, and "Fifty Dollar Habit" is, of course, about drug use. Elsewhere Bell sticks mostly to love songs, self-penned and otherwise, getting into a pre-disco lope on the title track, a style of sweet soul balladry on "What I Don't Know Won't Hurt Me" and "If You Really Love Him," and some light reggae-influenced rhythms on "Lonely for Your Love." Other than a couple of bright spots, Relating is blandly sentimental mid-'70s sweet soul. It has more of an Al Green-Hi Records influence, partially due in all probability to the contribution of horn arrangements and backup vocals by musicians that were also involved in Hi sessions. There is also co-production by Booker T. & the MG's drummer Al Jackson Jr., who was doing a lot of work for Hi at the time. There are a few singles that hit low on the R&B charts -- "I've Got to Go on Without You," "Lovin' on Borrowed Time," and "Gettin' What You Want (Losin' What You Got)." None particularly deserved to do better, though "Gettin' What You Want" is a decent mid-tempo ballad. Actually the star cut is "Nobody Walks Away From Love Unhurt," with its pin-prick, bluesy guitar licks. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

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