The players who surround Rowand are skilled instrumentalists, but they're too willing to settle for the sort of generic funk grooves that jam bands have been offering up in these parts since time immemorial -- or at least 1972. Veteran producer Bill Thomas works hard to give the tracks more variety and individuality, but "River" and the excessively earnest "Social Crisis" resist his best efforts.
In contrast, "Take It or Leave It," with its soulful backing vocals, and the punchy, straightforward "Real Thang" come together nicely for a very simple reason: They're good songs. And when Rowand's given superior tunage, her Mojo's all but unstoppable.
