While Invitation to Openness was Les McCann's progressive statement of 1972, this was his populist sermon, with a title to match. With four vocals among the seven tracks, Talk to the People preaches earthily in the funky soul/jazz and R&B languages of the time, with some social comment besides. Having gone completely over to the Rhodes electric piano and Hohner clavinet, McCann became a fervent convert -- indeed, he and Stevie Wonder were the funky-butt champs of the clavinet in the 1970s -- and he could beat on them with the rhythmic snap of a conga drummer. "Shamading" may be the funkiest, hip-shaking thing McCann has ever recorded; the cool, swaggering funkathon "North Carolina" runs a close second; and the best of the vocals is a very gritty and convincing treatment of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On." Although there are some weak links in this chain of tunes, the highs are sky-high, and they represent some of McCann's peak studio performances. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide
The Persuasions (Vocals), Les McCann (Piano), Les McCann (Vocals), Les McCann (Main Performer), Gene McDaniels (Vocals), Billy Barnes (Vocals), Sister Charlotte (Vocals), Buck Clarke (Percussion), Donald Dean (Drums), Joel Dorn (Vocals), Joel Dorn (Producer), Joel Dorn (Liner Notes), Bob Liftin (Engineer), Bob Liftin (Remixing), Keith Loving (Guitar), Susan McDaniels (Vocals), Jimmy Rowser (Bass), Richard Mantel (Cover Design), Giovanni Scatola (Remastering), Florence Halfon (Reissue Supervisor), Charles Waring (Liner Notes)
