Raw soul-funk from the Seventies

Tomorrow's People is a bit of a forgotten band, lost in the vast sea of seventies funk and soul artists. Comprised of four brothers (Kevin, Maurice, Gerald, and Timothy Burton), the group released the album “Open Soul” in 1976 on the short-lived Stage Productions label. With the seventies revival craze among DJ’s in the past decade and more, this rare LP become a true collectors jewel with copies reaching a price over $1,500. DJ’s favorite is the 20-minute title track which was described as a track in which “Timothy’s spare organ work and Brother Gerald’s guitar cast a spell, and for the first minute, you might think you’re in for a beatless cosmic soul trip.” “Open Soul” is a perfect example of raw, stripped down soul in its purest form, and that’s the reason it has become so highly sought-after rarity nowadays. With a steady bass line keeping the beat the entire set and layers of percussion patterns, the 20-minute groove is a solid ground for soloists to exchange the spotlight.

On January 27th, for the first time in 40 years, the album was reissued in collaboration with Timothy Burton, who helped restore and master the LP from multiple copies of the original pressing. (The master tapes were destroyed more than 20 years ago.) The reissue was made possible by Sam Shepherd, electronic artist and funk and soul DJ, working under the monikers Floating Point and You’re a Melody, and also the owner of the Melodies International label.