Force of Nature -

Force of Nature was an American soul-funk band from Philadelphia that released a self-titled album on Columbia-subsidiary Tommy in 1974, followed by Unemployment Blues on Philadelphia International Records in 1976. The band preceded these activities with a 1972 single on North Bay, issued under the name Soul Devalents.

Background

Soul Devalents were active in Philadelphia by 1966, when the Strawberry Mansion band played the Sophomore Hop at Bishop John Neumann High School. The group later worked the Philadelphia circuit with lead singer Brian Evans, guitarist-vocalist Ronald James, and multi-instrumentalist Harry Dixon (organ, flugelhorn, trumpet, flute, vocals). Soul Devalents shared bills with The Delfonics, Cymande, and Ohio Players.

Soul Devalents cut the August 1972 North Bay single “Grasshopper” (b/w “This Is Our Thing”). Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt wrote, produced, and arranged “Grasshopper”; R.J. Randolph and arranger Brian M. Evans wrote “This Is Our Thing,” co-produced by John Madara and Tom Sellers. Between labels, the group adopted the Force of Nature name.

Force of Nature

Force of Nature released their self-titled debut album in March 1974 on Tommy.

The renamed group features Evans, James, and Dixon, who milti-tasks on flute, flugelhorn, trumpet, and organ. Keyboardist Dexter Wansel programmed Putney synthesizer on the album.

“Fool’s Wonderland” opens on a high vocal contour and closes each line around a compact refrain. “A Little Bit of Something” snaps its dance rhythm into short ensemble accents. “Thoughts” compresses its vocal line into a brief swelling passage. “Ie Man Ja (Ya-Mon-Ya)” breaks into batucada percussion and lets the rhythm section take the late turn. “Sign of Our Times / Clouds” drops into a softer second half after the title section. “Simba” drives the band through a denser pulse.

A1. “Dreams” (3:53) – Gerald James
A2. “Fool’s Wonderland” (3:40) – Bruce Hawes
A3. “A Spear and a Feather” (3:32) – John Faison–Danny Harmon
A4. “A Little Bit of Something” (3:44) – Joseph Jefferson
A5. “Ie Man Ja (Ya-Mon-Ya)” (5:56) – James Walker

B1. “Why Do I Feel Love (Fantasy)” (4:31) – Faison–Harmon
B2. “Sign of Our Times / Clouds” (9:14) – Hawes–Jefferson
B3. “Thoughts” (3:06) – Hawes–Jefferson–Faison
B4. “Simba” (5:55) – Bunny Sigler–Phil Hurtt

Bruce Hawes produced Force of Nature apart from “Simba,” a Bunny Sigler production.

Tommy issued “Fool’s Wonderland” as a 1973 promo single with the mono and stereo mixes on opposing sides. In July 1974, “Simba” appeared as a single (b/w “A Little Bit of Something”).

Unemployment Blues

Force of Nature released their second album, Unemployment Blues, in 1976 on Philadelphia International. The album contains ten songs, with Ronald James and R.J. Randolph credited on the title track.

“Do It (Like You Ain’t Got No Backbone)” snaps through a quick dance beat and clipped vocal phrasing. “Ditch of Confusion” runs fast against firm ensemble punctuation. “If You Decide” slows into a rueful lead vocal.

“Unemployment Blues” grinds through mid-tempo vocal phrases and thick accompaniment. “Discomite” locks a low bass pattern under short dance accents. “Travelin’” extends the same bottom-end emphasis across a longer vocal track. “Baby I’m Yours (And I’m So Glad)” rides a light dance rhythm under a softened lead.

A1. “Do It (Like You Ain’t Got No Backbone)” (3:49) – Victor Drayton–Reginald Turner–Jerry Atkins–John Bellmon
A2. “Ditch of Confusion” (5:54) – Danny Harmon–John Faison
A3. “If You Decide” (4:34) – Barbara Mason
A4. “Creativity” (4:26) – Drayton
A5. “Discomite” (2:45) – Drayton–Turner–Atkins–Bellmon

B1. “Unemployment Blues” (4:33) – R. James–R. Randolph
B2. “Travelin’” (5:16) – James Bishop
B3. “Baby I’m Yours (And I’m So Glad)” (4:40) – Bishop
B4. “Toy Ball” (4:22) – Bishop
B5. “Freeze” (2:35) – James Walker

James Bishop produced Unemployment Blues at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia International lifted “Do It (Like You Ain’t Got No Backbone)” as a February 1976 single (b/w “Baby I’m Yours (And I’m So Glad)”).

Discography: