Raymond Alexander Jenkins’ tight four-piece unit was so revered on the uptown club circuit that it was offered the opportunity to serve as the Apollo Theater house band. Jenkins demurred, hopeful and confident in his group’s chances at making it on its own, and Let’s Talk is the sublime result of their hard work. Independently released and recorded with a distinctly lo-fi charm, it is a collection of unabashedly sincere songs that perfectly encapsulates the era’s heady milieu of Black pride and cultural awareness, and the plaintive emotion of struggling to realize dreams whilst navigating a city and neighborhood in decline. Personal tragedy coupled with Jenkins’ inability to gain traction as a musician, would haunt him for years. But Let’s Talk’s reputation would eventually spread via word-of-mouth praise amongst soul and funk connoisseurs and record collectors. Now elevated to exalted status, it may finally be more widely appreciated as a testament to Jenkins’ gifts. LP package features liner notes by Jeff “Chairman” Mao chronicling the band’s and Raymond Jenkins’ inspiring story. Download card for WAV files included with LP. This release was part of the Now Again Reserve, but these copies are not numbered. Track Listing: A1 Let's Talk (Vocal)A2 Let's Talk (Instrumental) A3 My Special OneA4 Down On Broadway A5 Taking The Long Way HomeA6 I'm In Love With You B1 My WorldB2 I Don't BiteB3 Wiser and DeeperB4 Save MeB5 I Wonder Why (with Chris Bartley)
