Lincoln Street Exit's sole album is one of those efforts that's generated considerable attention throughout the collecting community over the years. I'll reserve comment on whether that status is deserved ...
Formed in 1964, the original line up consisted of Paul Chapman, drummer Lee Herres, singer/guitarist Michael Martin and bassist Mac Suazo. A rarity in that it was one of the few mid-1960s native American rock bands (all four members were New Mexico Sioux) to actively tour and record, the group struggled for six years with little recognition; managing to release three instantly obscure singles during that timeframe.
By the time the band was signed to the Detroit-based Mainstream label, Chapman had died replaced by guitarist R.C. Gariss. Teamed with producer Brad Shad 1970's "Drive It!" served to showcase material from Martin and non-member Tom Bee. Sure the band's anti-war sentiments ('Man Machine' and 'Time Has Come Gonna Die') weren't particularly original or noteworthy. Similarly their isolated stab at pseudo-Gospel ('Going Back Home') was at best misguided. On the other hand, propelled by Martin's likeable voice, tracks such as 'Dirty Mother Blues', 'Teacher Teacher' and 'Straight Shootin' Man' offered up a compelling set of blues-oriented hard rock. Ironically the most impressive track was also one of their most commercial effort - the pop-oriented 'Soulful Drifter' (which was released as an unsuccessful single). Needless to say, the collection vanished without a trace. Gariss, Herrera, Martin and Suazo subsequently continued their musical collaboration, reappearing as Xit recording a series of mid-1970s LPs for Motown (see separate entry).
"Drive It!" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Man Machine (Michael Martin - Tom Bee) - 4:02
2.) Dirty Mother Blues (Michael Martin - Mike Suazo) - 6:55
3.) Got You Babe (Michael Martin - Mike Suazo) - 3:06
4.) Teacher Teacher (Michael Martin - Mike Suazo) - 2:45
(side 2)
1.) Soulful Drifter (Michael Martin - Tom Bee) - 2:00
2.) Time Has Come Gonna Die (Michael Martin - Tom Bee) - 4:06
3.) Going Back Home (Michael Martin - Tom Bee) - 3:03
4.) Straight Shootin' Man (Michael Martin) - 3:00
5.) Phantom Child (Michael Martin - Tom Bee) - 3:14
Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Drive It!
Company: Mainstream
Catalog: S/6126
Year: 1970
Country/State: New Mexico, US
01. Man Machine
02. Dirty Mother Blues
03. Got You Babe
04. Teacher Teacher
05. Soulful Drifter
06. Time Has Come Gonna Die
07. Going Back Home
08. Straight Shootin' Man
09. Phantom Child
10. The Bummer
11. Sunny Sunday Dream
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