Melvin Van Peebles - What the .... You Mean I Can't Sing?! (2003)

Film producer/director Melvin Van Peebles invented the Blaxploitation film genre with his 1970 film Sweet Sweet back's Baad Asssss Song, which paved the way for popular crossover films like Superfly and Shaft. He's also known for writing several novels and screenplays throughout the '70s and acting in many films. As a major influence on Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino, Peebles remains a legend of African American cinema. On this rare 1974 LP for Atlantic Records, Peebles sings passionate reflections on the state of 1970's Black culture over some very funky grooves with strings and orchestration (think of the soundtracks to any Pam Grier flick). Harold Wheeler arranged the music with the same touch of class he brought to his work with Nina Simone and others.