Rick Mason and Rare Feelings -

Rick Mason and Rare Feelings were an American soul-funk band that released the 1976 album The Inner Dimensions of Rick Mason and Rare Feelings on bassist/bandleader Mason’s namesake Maso Records.

Inception

Rick Mason led Rare Feelings, a Philadelphia soul-funk group built around his bass, vocals, and songwriting. He directed the band through Maso Records, his self-named imprint. The group included guitarist Gary Cooke, saxophonist Ronald Stephens, brass/reed player Kevin Brizil, keyboardist Darnell Farrow, and percussionists Eric J.C. Griffin and William Culbreath.

The Inner Dimensions of Rick Mason and Rare Feelings

Rick Mason and Rare Feelings released their singular album, The Inner Dimensions of…, in 1976 on Maso Records.

The album features eight Mason originals performed with Cooke, Griffin, and multi-instrumentalists Darnell Farrow (Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, grand piano, Hammond organ), multi-instrumentalist Kevin Brizil (trumpet, flute), and percussionist William Culbreath (drums, timbales, bongos).

“Rare Feelings” opens on a dense low-register surge before faint group vocals enter behind Mason. “Dope” snaps through slap accents, then turns into a mid-tempo vocal passage. “Funk Ain’t Being Funky” cuts low lead phrases against bright ensemble punctuation. “The Angel in My Life” slows into a softer layers with filial lyrics. “Metamorphosis Funk” drops the vocal and drives its instrumental break through quick figures and repeated fills.

A1. “Rare Feelings” (4:49)
A2. “Dope” (4:17)
A3. “I Dream of Love” (6:03)
A4. “Funk Ain’t Bein’ Funky” (6:41)

B1. “The Angel in My Life” (3:29)
B2. “Metamorphosis Funk” (4:58)
B3. “Song to God” (4:04)
B4. “Two Against the World” (3:35)

Mason produced and arranged The Inner Dimensions of Rick Mason and Rare Feelings in Philadelphia with engineer Jesse James.

William Culbreath photographed the two-tone sleeve images of Mason around a circular field.

Discography: