Rare Earth Albums Ranked

Rare Earth is an American soul band affiliated with Motown’s Rare Earth record label. Although not the first white band signed to Motown, Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members. (None of the previously signed all-white acts, The Rustix, The Dalton Boys, or The Underdogs, had any hits.) Rare Earth continues to perform at corporate events and on the oldies circuit. Bits from their recordings have been used as samples on recordings as diverse as Beck’s “Derelict”, UNKLE, and DJ Shadow’s “GDMFSOB (feat. Roots Manuva – U.N.K.L.E. uncensored version)”, Black Sheep’s “Try Counting Sheep”, Peanut Butter Wolf’s “Tale of Five Cities”, Scarface’s “Faith”, NWA’s “Real Niggaz Don’t Die” and Eric B. and Rakim’s “What’s Going On”. Here are all of Rare Earth albums ranked.

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6. One World (1971)

“For me, the highlights of the album is the Ray Charles song “What’d I Say” and another song called “If I Die”. Another track called “The Seed” asks the old question; ‘Where will it go from hear?’ Of course, it has the original Rare Earth version of the classic rock song; “I Just Want To Celebrate”. This is all from back in the day, when Motown decided that it was time to rock.”

5. Ma (1973)

“This album shows how Motown took chances on white groups as well as the black musicians & singers. Although produced by Norman Whitfield(genius!), the sound of this album is like sitting in on a great jam band just having some fun on a Saturday night. If you like Rare Earth’s other efforts, you’ll really enjoy this!”

4. Rare Earth In Concert (1971)

“An awesome concert capsule of MOTOWN’s only white self-contained rockin’ funk act, RARE EARTH had such an authentic lock on down ‘n dirty RNB, many listeners assumed they were as black as the Temptations or the Four Tops. A natural misconception, given the supercharged influence of macho bloozey belter/drummer PETER RIVERA’s gritty vocal chops, and the band’s well-honed psychedelic soul instrumentation.”

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3. Willie Remembers (1972)

“The album catches Rare Earth at their peak and is one of my all time favorite albums. The songs are catchy, the band is on the money musically, and the self-produced album packs a sonic punch that isn’t often found in rock records in any time period. The only minor flaw isn’t in the recording but the mastering of the album. I assume that the sound engineers, despite the best of their intentions, had not heard the original on vinyl and made judgment call to boost the mid to high frequencies ever so slightly and this slightly robs the album of its warmth and sonic depth.”

2. Ecology (1970)

” The psychedelic soul sound of Rare Earth assimilates smoothly into jazz fusion or progressive rock. The songs on this CD are great. Two Tom Baird songs, featuring “BORN TO WANDER” are featured. Also, the original “I know I’m losing you.” Rare Earth does a great job covering the Beatles classic, “Eleanor Rigby,” as well.”

1. Get Ready (1969)

“Get Ready is for me the absolutely best long version of all time. In 1970 they were already far ahead of their time. Get Ready was a pure studio recording and the live atmosphere was simply recorded. So a perfect sound you can’t play live.”