Ernie Hines - Electrified (Magenta Vinyl) Vinyl LP

Ever since Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth sampled Ernie’s anthemic “Our Generation” on their 1992 chart-topper “Straighten It Out” (and then John Legend and The Roots covered the song in 2010), 1972’s Electrified has been one of the most collectible releases of its era. “Our Generation” is justly famous, a masterpiece of socially conscious ‘70s gospel-inflected soul, but the rest of the record isn’t far from the high standard set by that song, with “Sugar Plum (Gimme Some)” “Your Love (Is All I Need),” and the original version of The Temprees’ “Explain It to Her Mama” the particular highlights. Exquisite production from the We Produce label’s Jo Bridges and Tom Nixon, too.