Marshall was the director behind a start-up label, Cadet Concept Records, and wanted to focus on music outside of the blues and rock genres, which had made the Chess label popular. This led Marshall to turn his attention to the burgeoning psychedelic movement. He recruited Charles Stepney, a vibraphonist and classically-trained arranger and producer for sonic wizardry. Marshall then recruited members of a little-known white rock band, The Proper Strangers (Bobby Simms, Mitch Aliotta & Ken Venegas). Sidney Barnes, a songwriter within the Chess organization, also joined, as did Judy Hauff and a Chess receptionist named Minnie Riperton, who would later be successful in her own solo career. Marshall also called up prominent session musicians associated with the Chess label, including guitarist Phil Upchurch and drummer Morris Jennings.
The band released their self-titled debut album in late 1967. It plays like a melange of styles, borrowing heavily from pop, rock, and soul, but in a way that isn't entirely radio-friendly. The album also boasts an Eastern influence through its use of the sitar on Turn Me On and Memory Band. Stepney's arrangements, brought to life by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, imbue the album with a certain dreamlike quality; this would become a trademark of both the arranger and the mouthpiece. The album proved to be a modest success within the Midwest, but failed to make an impact nationally -- this was to be the Rotary's ultimate fate.
The band returned in 1968 with a pair of albums, Aladdin and Peace. The former was the group's proper sophomore effort, and it found Riperton assuming a more prominent vocal role than the "background instrument" status she had on the debut. The latter was a Christmas release, with strong pervasive messages of love and understanding for a nation in the grips of Vietnam. The album's cover art of a hippie Santa Claus more than makes its intentions known. Peace is notable for being involved in controversy: an anti-war cartoon in a December 1968 edition of Billboard magazine featured a graphic image of a bruised and bloodied Santa on a Vietnam battlefield. Mistaking this cartoon for the album's cover art, Montgomery Ward cancelled all shipments of the album.
Rotary Connection would release three more albums: Songs, in 1969, a collection of drastic reworkings of other artist's songs, including Otis Redding's Respect and The Band's The Weight and Cream's Sunshine Of Your Love. Dinner Music followed in 1970, in which they added elements of folk and country into the mix along with some electronic experimentation, and; Hey Love in 1971, where the band, oddly credited as the New Rotary Connection, ended its career with a jazz-oriented affair. From this particular album came the uplifting I am the Black Gold of the Sun, which was famously covered in 1997 by underground dance outfit Nuyorican Soul.
After the break-up of the band, Stepney served as a producer and arranger for other artists, most notably the soul outfit Earth, Wind, & Fire. He died in 1976 of a heart attack. Minnie Riperton enjoyed the fruits of a successful solo career until breast cancer ended her life in 1979. Sidney Barnes continues to work a singer and songwriter, and in recent years has gained a following in the U.K.. The other remaining members of the band either attempted other, lower-profile, musical endeavours or divorced themselves entirely of the business. Thanks to reissues of their catalog in the late 1990s and the appropriation of material through sampling within the hip-hop community, Rotary Connection has been formally introduced to a new generation.
Aladdin
Rotary Connection Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That they can rely on
When all their hopes and dreams are gone
And there's nowhere
Every time you need a friend
On who's love you can depend
Close your eyes and just pretend
Yeah
I am Aladdin and I will gladden you
Or sadden you
Do anything that you want me to
I am Aladdin and there's no task at all
Too great or small
That I can do for you
Oooooh ooh, ooh
There's something in your eyes, I see
A longing there to go with me
Wish real hard and I will be
At your command
I'll guide you through all time and space
And help you find a quieter place
Where there's a smile on every face
Just take my hand
Ooooh, yeah
I am Aladdin and I will gladden you
Or sadden you
Do anything that you want me to
I am Aladdin and there's no task at all
Too great or small
That I can do for you
Mm-hmm-mm-mm
Mm
Yeah, yeah
There's something in your eyes, I see
A longing there to go with me
Wish real hard and I'll be there
At your command
I'll guide you through all time and space
And help you find a quieter place
Where there's a smile on every face
Just take my hand
I am Aladdin and I will gladden you
Or sadden you
Do anything that you want me to...
The song "Aladdin" by Rotary Connection is a dreamy and whimsical love song that skillfully evokes the tale of the famous Arabian Nights character. The song describes the singer's willingness to do anything for their lover, portraying themselves as the archetypical magical genie. The lyrics invoke the idea of relentless devotion and loyalty, positioning the singer as someone who will be there for their lover no matter what. The phrase "I am Aladdin and I will gladden you, or sadden you, do anything that you want me to" perfectly encapsulates this sentiment.
The repeated chorus "I am Aladdin and there's no task at all, too great or small, that I can do for you" provides a sense of reassurance and comfort, inspiring the listener to believe they can rely on the singer no matter what. The song's final verses reiterate this promise, with the singer offering to help their lover find a quieter place and guiding them through all time and space.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody needs someone
That they can rely on
When all their hopes and dreams are gone
And there's nowhere
In times of distress, we all need someone to depend on and guide us towards a better future.
Every time you need a friend
On who's love you can depend
Close your eyes and just pretend
Mm, and I'll be there
Yeah
When you feel alone and need a friend, just imagine one who can provide unconditional love and support, and they will be there for you.
I am Aladdin and I will gladden you
Or sadden you
Do anything that you want me to
I am Aladdin and there's no task at all
Too great or small
That I can do for you
Just like Aladdin, I am here for you and can bring joy or sadness based on your needs. There's no challenge too big or small that I can't help you overcome.
There's something in your eyes, I see
A longing there to go with me
Wish real hard and I will be
At your command
I can sense you desire adventure and closeness, and if you truly wish for my companionship, I will be at your beck and call.
I'll guide you through all time and space
And help you find a quieter place
Where there's a smile on every face
Just take my hand
Ooooh, yeah
I'll help you navigate the vastness of the universe and find a peaceful oasis where happiness is abundant. Just trust me and let me guide you.
Mm-hmm-mm-mm
Mm
Yeah, yeah
Some additional vocalizations and affirmations.
Writer(s): Steven William Duboff, Artie Kornfeld, Arthur Lawrence Kornfeld
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.