The Impressions - Preacher Man (1973)

After Curtis Mayfield left the Impressions for a solo career in 1970, the band still kept going. This is the second album of the post-Mayfield era, although he was involved here in some capacity as the "Production Coordinator" (whatever that entails). I am pleased to report that Preacher Man is surprisingly excellent! No real surprises here, just epic early-70s soul with a shit-ton of strings and wah-wah guitars and topical "we've got to get together, people" and "we've got to make a better day"-type lyrics. If you're a fan of Curtis Mayfield's early solo records or Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, this is well worth checking out. The ambitious 10 minute "Thin Line" is the centerpiece of this short but sweet album. Did it have to be 10 minutes long? Maybe not. Does it still rule? Yes it does. The song's arrangement and steady buildup are top-notch and everything you would want from an over-the-top, socially-conscious soul epic. The album as a whole keeps a consistently high quality throughout.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Rqc54B3gO2fUqWTH4J24n