What makes What You Need by Side Effect notable?

What You Need received positive reviews upon release, showcasing Side Effect's potential and influencing the burgeoning R&B genre in the late '70s. The single Always There became a staple on urban radio stations, contributing to the band's growing popularity and paving the way for future releases. Released in 1976, What You Need is Side Effect's debut album, marking their entry into the music scene alongside contemporaries like Earth, Wind & Fire. The album laid the groundwork for their future success and established their unique sound, blending elements of funk and soul with intricate arrangements.

How many songs are on What You Need?

What You Need has 9 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

What You Need

Side Effect · 1976

39 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues

A fusion of jazz-inflected R&B grooves and smooth vocal harmonies that captures the essence of the mid-1970s soul movement.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Always There — This track stands out for its lush instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics, encapsulating the emotional depth of the album while becoming a signature song for the band.
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Keep That Same Old Feeling — With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, this song exemplifies Side Effect's ability to blend danceable rhythms with soulful melodies, making it a highlight of the album.
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Changes — The introspective lyrics and sophisticated arrangement showcase the band's songwriting skills and musical versatility, adding depth to the overall narrative of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz-inflected R&B with smooth harmonies but lacks strong cohesion in its pacing.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Always There', features a prominent horn section that sets a jazzy tone for the album.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interaction between the lead and backing vocals.
The final track, 'I Know You Can', closes the album with a slower tempo, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 Always There 5:04
2 Keep That Same Old Feeling 7:06
3 Time Has No Ending 3:55
4 S.O.S. 4:06
5 Honky Tonk Scat 3:45
6 Finally Found Someone 2:53
7 Changes 3:36
8 Life Is What You Make It 2:54
9 I Know You Can 6:21

What to play next

Listen next

Goin' Bananas

1977

Go back to

Side Effect

1975

Full Side Effect discography Artists like Side Effect

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata