Going East
Billy Paul · 1971
40 min · 9 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant blend of jazz-inflected soul and smooth R&B that captures the essence of early '70s musical experimentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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East — The opening track sets an adventurous tone with its lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics, encapsulating the album's thematic journey.
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(If You Let Me Make Love to You) Then Why Can't I Touch You — This track stands out for its sensuality and vulnerability, showcasing Paul's ability to convey deep emotional connections through his powerful delivery.
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Compared to What — A bold cover of Eugene McDaniel's original, this track features sharp social commentary intertwined with dynamic arrangements, highlighting Paul's versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and vocal performances but lacks a fully cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features a prominent horn section, setting a jazzy tone for the record.
- Several tracks incorporate complex chord progressions and unexpected key changes, particularly in 'Compared to What'.
- Vocals are layered with harmonies throughout, often featuring call-and-response patterns between Paul and background singers.
- The final track ends on a gentle fade-out, creating a sense of closure while leaving some emotional resonance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- smooth background for conversations
- melodic warmth with emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced tracks
- seek immediate, upbeat energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1971, Going East was Billy Paul's fifth studio album, following his breakthrough hit 'Me and Mrs. Jones' from 1972. At this point, Paul was establishing himself as a significant voice in soul music, blending elements of jazz and rhythm and blues to create a distinctive sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marvin Gaye· Curtis Mayfield· Donny Hathaway
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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(If You Let Me Make Love to You) Then Why Can't I Touch You
The song's bridge introduces a poignant shift where the singer questions intimacy in a relationship, revealing vulnerability and longing.
This pivotal moment contrasts earlier assertions of desire, adding emotional depth and complexity to the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 East 6:30
- 2 (If You Let Me Make Love to You) Then Why Can't I Touch You 2:44
- 3 This Is Your Life 4:18
- 4 Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like a Man) 4:20
- 5 Magic Carpet Ride 5:22
- 6 I Wish It Were Yesterday 3:53
- 7 Compared to What 5:23
- 8 Love Buddies 3:43
- 9 There's a Small Hotel 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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