Free Life -

Free Life was an American soul-funk nonet that released a self-titled album on Epic in 1978, followed by a standalone single on the label in 1979. The band was produced by Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey, who discovered the nine-piece and brought them to the label.

Members: Carl Carwell, David Straughter, Ernest Straughter, Julius Carey, Louis Russell, Robert Russell, Spencer Bean, Wayne Stalling, Winston Ford

Background

Free Life emerged from Straughter-Russell-Carey, the songwriting partnership of keyboardist Ernest Straughter, guitarist Louis Russell, and singer/percussionist Julius Carey.

Straughter played on the 1975 release Captain Puff in the Naked Truth by LA soul-jazz veteran Owen Marshall. For Azar Lawrence, Ernest wrote and arranged “Forces of Nature,” the centerpiece on Bridge Into the New Age, which also includes one track (“The Beautiful And Omnipresent Love”) with lyrics by his brother, flutist Ray Straughter. The brothers co-wrote the title track to Azar’s 1976 third album People Moving. Ernest also played on Bobbi Humphrey‘s 1977 release Tailor Made, which includes his composition “Theme I.”

In 1978, Ernest played with Louis and his bassist brother, Robert Russell, on albums by Blue Magic, Freda Payne, and Phyllis Hyman. Robert earned a prior lyrical credit on “Temporary Jones,” the opening track on Skinny Boy, the 1974 solo album by Chicago keyboardist Robert Lamm.

Ernest and the Russell’s formed Free Life with Carey and another Straughter brother, drummer David Straughter. They rounded out the nine-piece with guitarist Spencer Bean, pianist Wayne Stalling, and vocalists Carl Carwell and Winston Ford.

Carwell sang backing on the recent debut by Kinsman Dazz. He and Bean interacted with Ernest and the Russell’s on Blue Magic’s Message From the Magic. Stalling played with Louis on Welcome to My Room, the 1978 Parachute Records debut by soul singer Randy Brown.

Free Life signed with Epic Records and secured Kinsman Dazz producer Philip Bailey, the tenor of Earth Wind & Fire.

Free Life

Free Life released their self-titled album in August 1978 on Epic.

The album showcases a radiant late–1970s soul-funk sound with layered vocal arrangements and tightly arranged brass and rhythm parts, in line with the polished production style of Earth, Wind & Fire. Philip Bailey guided the project, adding his tenor harmonies and arranging skills to the nine-piece’s interplay.

Keyboardist Ernest Straughter and bassist Robert Russell emerged as the group’s central writers, each credited on multiple tracks. Julius Carey co-wrote “Wish You Were Here,” while Carl Carwell, Spencer Bean, and Wayne Stalling penned the closer “Second Coming.” Bailey himself authored “It’s Lovely Just to Know You” and co-wrote four other tracks, while guitarist Kenneth Ford contributed “I Confess.” The one outside number is “I’ll Keep My Light in My Window,” a 1974 Caston & Majors song covered since by Maria Muldaur and Eruption.

Songs balance brisk dance cuts like “Stomp & Shout” and “Second Coming” with mid-tempo ballads such as “Wish You Were Here” and “Say You Do.” “Smile” opens with massed vocals over syncopated rhythms, while “Spirit of Love” condenses the group’s positive message into under three minutes. Patrice Rushen augments the sound with ARP synthesizer and orchestral bells.

A1. “Smile” (3:09)
A2. “Stomp & Shout” (3:41)
A3. “It’s Lovely Just to Know You” (3:50)
A4. “Wish You Were Here” (3:57)
A5. “Spirit of Love” (2:55)

B1. “Say You Do” (3:11)
B2. “I’ll Keep My Light in My Window” (4:01)
B3. “Cornerstone” (3:11)
B4. “I Confess” (3:25)
B5. “Second Coming” (3:56)

Sessions took place at Hollywood Sound Recorders and Sound Labs in Hollywood with producers Philip Bailey and Tommy Vicari. Bob Mockler and Vicari engineered and mixed the album, which Bernie Grundman mastered at A&M Mastering Studios. Dave McMacken illustrated the cover.

Epic lifted two singles: “Stomp and Shout” (b/w “Second Coming”) in August 1978, followed by “Wish You Were Here” (b/w “Cornerstone”) in November.

Later Activity

In 1979, Free Life cut one final 12″ single, co-produced by Carwell, Bailey, and engineer Tommy Vicari.

A. “Dance Fantasy” (7:44) extends with layered percussion, advancing synth accents, and a rhythmic midpoint built for dancefloor momentum. Its pacing shifts with Latin inflections while cowbells and keyboards interlock against the rhythm section.
B. “There’s Something Better” (3:30) runs on a compact gospel-soul arrangement with stacked vocals, sharp rhythm guitar, and a concise form that later drew attention from DJs and samplers.

Ernest Straughter, Spencer Bean, and the Russell brothers backed Patti LaBelle on her 1979 Epic release It’s Alright With Me, the ex-Labelle singer’s third solo album.

Discography: