Various Artists - Groovin’: The Genius Of Arif Mardin

Far-reaching tribute to an unsung hero

Unlike Phil Spector, Sam Phillips or Motown giants, Mardin was a producer without a signature sound. But it was perhaps his adaptability and innate understanding of individual performers needs and strengths that kept him in demand well into his 70s, until his death in his New York home last summer.

Starting out as an in-house arranger at Atlantic, he fell into production almost by accident. The breadth of his skills is illustrated perfectly across these 31 tracks, from the light pop of The Young Rascals’ track which gives this compilation its name, to the deep soul of Brook Benton (Rainy Night In Georgia), Willie Nelson’s outlaw country (Whiskey River), embryonic disco (The Bee Gees’ Jive Talkin’), and the mellow jazz of Norah Jones (Come Away With Me).

Mardin’s use of strings both revitalised Aretha Franklin’s 60s career and added a flourish of sophistication to Dusty Springfield’s classic …In Memphis. He turned a sturdy live act such as Average White Band into a global concern, fashioned Carly Simon into an AOR megastar, and kickstarted a long run of hits for Hall & Oates with the sublime She’s Gone. Seemingly free of the ego that usually marks out maverick talents, Mardin was nonetheless a potent force behind countless great records.

Rhino | 5101199362 (2-CD)

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
<< Back to Issue 338