Rare Earth-Ma (1973)

Rare Earth's sixth album was preceded by four excellent studio works and a sensational double live album, and became another of their great works thanks to a series of songs full of blues rock reminiscent of funk and soul. "Ma" was produced by one of the producers of the Motown label, Norman Whitfield, who in turn was co-author of some of the album's songs, which would provide it with the characteristic sound of the black bands of the legendary Detroit label. The line-up of Rare Earth for this new album was significantly different from that of their first works, said line-up was composed of Gil Bridges (saxophone, flute and vocals), Peter Hoorebelke (drums and vocals), Ray Monette (guitar and vocals), Mark Olson (keyboards and vocals), Pete Rivera (drums and vocals) and Mike Urso (bass and vocals). The seventeen-minute repetitive guitar riff on the psychedelic and sublime “Ma” is the high point of this album, a track that contrasts with the Zeppelin-like hard rock “Hum Along and Dance,” the soul-funk feel of “Big John is My Name,” and the experimental “Come With Me.” Although it did not have the same media or commercial impact as other previous works, “Ma” was considered one of the cult albums in the underground and over time became one of Rare Earth’s most popular albums.