Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come

A counterculture anthem overshadows its bedfellows

The Brothers, a former West Coast gospel quartet who plugged in, turned on and rocked out in the Summer Of Love, managed to attach themselves to the revolutionary bandwagon with this album’s title track. Written by two of their number and present here in both 11-minute album version and four-minute single edit, it’s a simple but effective song that’s since been used in movies and well deserved its hit status.

Elsewhere, the Chambers show less invention by retreading over The Impressions (People Get Ready), Bacharach (What The World Needs Now) and Wilson Pickett (In The Midnight Hour). They make a decent fist of them but lack the invention of an Isleys or Family Stone in moving soul closer to rock – despite the presence of white drummer Brian Keenan, whose work is mixed very prominently throughout.

This original album from 1967 is beautifully packaged and well annotated, but you can’t help but feel that without the hit tune it would have remained in relative obscurity.

Repertoire | RES 2337

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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