| Rhythm of the People | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Robert Ward |
| Cover: | Rhythm of the People.jpg |
| Released: | 1993 |
| Studio: | Arlyn |
| Genre: | R&B, blues |
| Label: | Black Top[1] |
| Producer: | Hammond Scott |
| Prev Title: | Fear No Evil |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Hot Stuff |
| Next Year: | 1995 |
Rhythm of the People is an album by the American musician Robert Ward, released in 1993.[2] [3]
Produced by Hammond Scott, the majority of the album was recorded at Arlyn Studios, in Austin, Texas.[4] [5] "I Found a Love" was recorded in New Orleans, with bass player George Porter Jr.[5] The Kamikaze Horns played on some of the songs. Ward's wife Roberta sang on some of the gospel-influenced tracks. Ward used his Magnatone amp on the album. The musician felt that Rhythm of the People was a better representation of his musical interests than his previous album, Fear No Evil.[6]
The Edmonton Journal noted that "Ward's taste for fast, gutsy, clear, making-every-note-count attacks on the fingerboard was an influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan and others."[7] The Chicago Tribune stated that "a couple of alleged originals borrow too heavily from vintage R & B sources." The Denver Post opined that "the element of surprise is gone—and some of Ward's new songs are a little preachy... But there still are enough beautiful classic-soul moments."[8]
The Gazette determined that "a tastier mix of contemporary soul, gospel and R&B is hard to imagine."[9] The Los Angeles Times concluded that "Ward seems so re-energized that he occasionally pushes his voice too hard, but the music is punchier and its gospel-rooted flavor and message are even more in evidence." The Toronto Sun deemed the album "essential for anyone who's ever thrilled to the sounds of Stax-Volt, Motown, or '60s soul and R & B in general."
AllMusic wrote that Ward's "vocals don't sound nearly as hearty this time around, and a some of the songs just aren't up to par."