Mother Freedom Band -

Mother Freedom Band was an American soul-funk band that released the 1977 album Cutting the Chord on All Platinum.

Background

Mother Freedom Band operated from Rochester, New York, as a nine-piece with keyboardist Michael Loman, bassist Rafael Ortiz Jr., drummer Charlie Shaw, guitarist Greg Medoro, trumpeters Ron DeAugustine and David DeYulio, and singers Willie Johnson, Oliver Wiggins, and Jimmy Richmond.

Richmond came from Geneva, NY, where his father’s gospel quartet rehearsed at home while young Jimmy practiced saxophone. He led The Echomen in high school, then studied music education at SUNY Fredonia.

Ortiz, Medoro, and DeAugustine came from Newark, while Wiggins, Johnson, and Shaw came from Ithaca. Mother Freedom played originals and funk covers at Rochester colleges and bars, including gigs at Maxwell’s and Elliott’s Nest.

In March 1977, Mother Freedom played a three-hour set at Monroe Community College for Handicapped Awareness Week. They secured an All Platinum contract through Chuck Leone, who represented the band through Skyhigh Management.

Cutting the Chord

Mother Freedom Band released its only album, Cutting the Chord, in 1977 on All Platinum.

The album blends soul and disco-funk across ten originals. James Richmond wrote three songs and co-wrote two with George Medoro, who wrote the balance apart from one group-credited track.

“Love Will Stay in Your Corner” hustles through brisk dance accents and bright horn punctuation. “Flick of the Wrist” struts over a bubbling bassline while the singer trades short phrases with the ensemble. “Gotta Get It Back” saunters through tight punctuation and a pleading verse cadence. “Mr. Brother” warps around organ sizzle and sharp electronics. “Beautiful Summer Day” opens with tropical birdsong, then shifts from reflective space to firm stomp beneath a high-register vocal.

“When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” lingers on the title phrase over an easy backbeat. “We Like to Boogie” charges through brisk accents and clipped clavinet figures. “Come On Home” glides into airy harmony parts. “Sweet Love” sways through reggaefied accents and gospelized group replies.

A1. “Love Will Stay in Your Corner” (2:59) – Richmond
A2. “Flick of the Wrist” (3:10) – Medoro
A3. “Gotta Get It Back” (3:06) – Medoro
A4. “Mr. Brother” (4:24) – Medoro / Richmond
A5. “Beautiful Summer Day” (3:21) – Medoro / Richmond

B1. “(Assistant’s Rag) When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” (4:06) – Mother Freedom Band
B2. “We Like to Boogie” (4:24) – Richmond
B3. “Come On Home” (5:13) – Medoro
B4. “Touch Me” (3:21) – Medoro
B5. “Sweet Love” (4:18) – Richmond

Al Goodman produced Cutting the Chord and held the executive-producer credit. Rob Berman engineered and mixed the album at All Platinum Studios with assistant engineer and assistant mixer Dave Avidor. James Richmond arranged the horn parts.

Dudley Thomas directed the cover package, which Thomas and Kay Ritta designed with photography by Ritta. The front image shows a seated woman in a rocking chair and a child walking away across a tan studio field.

All Platinum issued “Beautiful Summer Day” as a 1977 single (b/w “Flick of the Wrist”).

Discography: