Real music can be meaningful, even political. Gail Ann Dorsey's The Corporate World [Sire/Reprise, 1977 ,10; 44:30] is a perfect example. Her debut album is produced by fellow-bassist, Nathan East, and they usually eschew today's pervasive rhythm machines. The music has a beat, but it's human. The material is written and performed by Gail Ann Dorsey, who also plays guitar and percussion, with her band. The album mixes love songs with a unique spin and political numbers, like the title song. However, the melodies make the album. The words are never obtrusive. You can enjoy the music, with the thoughtful lyrics a bonus.

Perhaps the most infectious selection is "Wasted Country," which is so bouncy, you can easily forget it's about the heritage we are leaving for the next generation. As Ms Dorsey sings, We can push aside the truth for now, but we'll have to face up when it comes back around. Great drumming and a super guitar solo by a chap named Clapton.

Another memorable spot is where her instrumental, "S.W.4" becomes the introduction to "Wishing I Was Someone Else." It is the closest thing I've heard to a Joan Armatrading song performed by someone other than Joan. In fact, Dorsey is very similar to Armatrading in many ways, with maybe a touch of Ava Cherry. She has a great voice and a unique perspective, plus she is a Black woman playing what butt-brained radio programmers will not consider Black music. Unlike others who have been compared to Ms A, Gail is very much out of the same mold. Her quirky, anti-corporate lyrics have not made her a star at her record company, owned by WEA, one of the sleaziest conglomerates of all. Maybe that's why you have to dig for a copy of her album.

The more I listen to The Corporate World, the more I like it. In fact, it embodies the tradition of distinctive songs with depth enough to always find new things, which you don't hear much these days. She captures one of the late Twentieth Century laments (certainly mine) in "No Time," where she lacks time to spend her money and or with her friends or lovers, so I highly recommend you find another girl, set off by Steve Ferron's aggressive drumming.