Artist: Average White Band Album: Cut the Cake

Year: 1975
Duration: 42:50

Cut the Cake by Average White Band: A of the 70s Funk Classic

The 1970s was a decade of incredible music, as many legendary artists emerged, reminiscent of a golden era of music history. One band that stood out from the rest was the Average White Band. The Scottish group entered the funk scene and became a major player in the genre, producing hits that rocked the world. Their album, Cut the Cake, is a classic and a true reflection of the funk era of the 70s. In this post, we shall take a closer look at the album, where we shall delve into the history of the band and the genre, discuss the best songs from the album, highlight the most innovative parts of the album, and a of the album.
The Average White Band was formed in Dundee, Scotland, in 1972. The six-piece band consisted of Alan Gorrie, Malcolm Duncan, Hamish Stuart, Onnie McIntyre, Roger Ball, and Robbie McIntosh. They came up with the name after a gig that had a discussion about musicians having average-sounding music. The band had its breakthrough with their self-titled album, which produced the hit song Pick Up the Pieces. Cut the Cake was the band's third studio album, released in 1975, just four months after the release of their second album AWB. The album consists of eight tracks, including the album's title track, which was released as a single.
The album revolves around the funk genre, which was a popular genre in the 70s and blended elements of soul, jazz, and RnB. Some of the notable songs in the album include School Boy Crush, If I Ever Lose This Heaven, and Groovin' The Night Away. Each song has its unique groove and is a perfect showcase of the band's ability to go beyond the funk genre's boundaries.
Cut the Cake features several innovative music elements that set it apart from its contemporaries. The album features Roger Ball's baritone saxophone, which shines throughout the album. The bass guitar of Gorrie is funky and groovy, while the guitar work of McIntyre and Stuart are essential to the band's sound. The album also features a mellower sound compared to the band's earlier work. This change in style was not surprising, given that the band was trying to adapt to a broader audience.
While Cut the Cake was a commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart, it received a lot of criticism. Some critics felt that the album was a watered-down version of the band. They felt that the band's sound was losing its edge and uniqueness, and felt that the elements that made the band standout had been compromised. They felt that the album was more of a commercial album that aimed to appeal to a wider audience.
In conclusion, Cut the Cake by Average White Band remains one of the most celebrated albums of the 70s funk era. The album showcases the band's ability to create soulful and groovy tracks that resonated with audiences. The album holds up regarding innovation, and the transition towards a mellower sound is a sign of a band that is willing to grow and change its sound. While there is no denying that the album received criticism, it still stands the test of time, and its impact on music cannot be ignored. To those who have not heard the album, it's worth checking out to appreciate the band's contribution to the funk genre.