What makes Set Us Free by Reuben Wilson notable?

Set Us Free is notable for its bold reinterpretation of contemporary themes through a soulful lens, particularly with its cover of Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), which addresses environmental concerns. The album received critical acclaim for its innovative approach within the acid jazz genre and helped solidify Wilson's place in the evolving landscape of early '70s soul and jazz fusion. Released in 1971, Set Us Free marked Reuben Wilson's third studio album, following his breakthrough efforts that established him as a prominent figure in the soul-jazz scene. At this point in his career, Wilson was refining his sound and showcasing his ability to blend jazz improvisation with the rhythms and sensibilities of soul music.

How many songs are on Set Us Free?

Set Us Free has 7 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

Set Us Free

Reuben Wilson · 1971

31 min · 7 tracks · soul

A vibrant fusion of acid jazz and soul, rich with infectious grooves and heartfelt melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Set Us Free — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit with its uplifting message and dynamic instrumentation that highlights Wilson's skillful organ work.
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Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) — This poignant cover combines soulful vocals with a social message, making it resonate deeply within the context of its time.
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Mr. Big Stuff — This track stands out for its groovy bassline and catchy hooks, showcasing Wilson's knack for blending danceable rhythms with meaningful lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends infectious grooves with heartfelt melodies, showcasing strong musicianship and a distinctive sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a prominent organ riff, setting a lively tone that persists through the first half.
The cover of 'Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)' is arranged with a slower tempo than the original, emphasizing its lyrical themes through a soulful interpretation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Set Us Free 5:08
2 We're in Love 3:27
3 Sho-Nuff Mellow 4:32
4 Mr. Big Stuff 4:37
5 Right on With This Mess 4:38
6 Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) 3:39
7 Tom's Thumb 5:30

What to play next

Listen next

The Sweet Life (album)

1972

Go back to

Blue Mode

1970

Full Reuben Wilson discography Artists like Reuben Wilson

acid jazz soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata