RECOMMENDED: Music. “Main Course” by Bee Gees. Released in 1975. This album marked a major change for the Bee Gees: From the brothers Gibb’s 1960s confectionary melodicism, “Main Course” goes R&B, soul and funk, which punctuated their 1970s output—leading to “Saturday Night Fever” era disco madness.
Architect of this transformation was producer Arif Mardin and engineer Karl Richardson + keyboard player Blue Weaver. Actually, they began crafting this sound, anchored on Barry Gibb’s rich falsetto, in the previous album “Mr. Natural.” The turn proved to be successful and eventually rejuvenated the group's career and public image, particularly in the U.S.
Sure, many call it disco with a smirk. But the music was essentially rhythm & blues that was technologically current, featuring ample use of synthesizers and dual bass lines. The cut “Wind of Change” is an apt example, interspersed with thick percussion backbeat and horn highlights. “Jive Talkin’” is another showcase of R&B inventiveness.
Of course, in this album you still get the obligatory Bee Gees sentimental shimmer via Robin Gibb’s lucid tremolo and Barry’s whispery baritone: “Country Lanes,” “Come on Over,” “Baby As You Turn Away.” The last album that featured Barry’s falsetto, though not dominant but it later on flourished in SNF time’s "You Should Be Dancing" and "Stayin' Alive.” 🎼🎹🎼
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