Car Wash Soundtrack CD
Car Wash.
1976, Universal.
Norman Whitfield/Various.
MCA, CD, 1996, MCD 11502.
Rating: 
Set in a downtown L.A. car wash, Joel Schumacher’s lively screenplay is largely a device used to link musical numbers, in this comedy populated by a disparate group of engaging oddballs. The director broke with cinematic convention by recording the soundtrack before filming in order to ensure visual continuity, while R&B songwriter and Producer, Norman Whitfield who penned ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ for Marvin Gaye, formed the band ‘Rose Royce’ specifically for the film; the band perform the songs, including the well known title tune, with its infectious opening guitar riffs and ‘I Wanna Get Next To You’, both of which reached number one in the Billboard Top 100 in 1976. Re-issued in 1996, the soundtrack is a fond reminder of just how a good tune and a few laughs can make something good into something special; the songs may not be as impressive as those recorded by some of Whitfield’s roster of Motown stars including Stevie Wonder, Glady’s Knight and The Temptations but they stand up well away from the parameters of the story. However, it is the clutch of instrumental tracks, ‘Yo Yo’, ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Righteous Rhythm’, towards the end of the album with their atmospheric, multi-layered grooves that lift ‘Car Wash’ out of the disco and onto a more sophisticated level. Dialogue from the film performed by Richard Pryor as ‘Daddy Rich’ adds a touch of social commentary to what is essentially a good R&B/disco album that hints at greatness.
Car Wash Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Car Wash.
2. 6 O’Clock DJ (Let’s Rock).
3. I Wanna Get Next To You.
4. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
5. Zig Zag.
6. You’re On My Mind.
7. Mid Day DJ Theme.
8. Born To Love You.
9. Daddy Rich.
10. Richard Pryor Dialogue/Rich Reprise.
11. You Gotta Believe.
12. I’m Going Down.
13. Yo Yo.
14. Sunrise.
15. Righteous Rhythm.
16. Water.
17. Crying.
18. Doin’ What Comes Naturally.
19. Keep On Keepin’ On.
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