# Tommy Dodson – Follow Me Review
Tommy Dodson's 1982 release "Follow Me" represents a significant moment in the artist's career, showcasing his deep commitment to spiritually-driven funk and soul music. Released on his own Dodson Records label, this album reflects Dodson's independence as an artist and his unwavering dedication to merging secular funk grooves with profound gospel messaging.
The album opens with the title track "Follow Me," a dynamic funk-soul composition that immediately establishes the record's sonic foundation. This opening sets the tone for an album that seamlessly blends infectious funk rhythms with soulful vocals and explicit gospel themes. The instrumental arrangements showcase tight musicianship, with bass-driven grooves and layered instrumentation that defined early 1980s funk-soul aesthetics.
Side A explores the personal spiritual journey through tracks like "I Am Your Child" and "I Have A Friend," each clocking around three and a half minutes and maintaining the album's funk-soul sensibility while delivering introspective lyrical content. The B-side ventures deeper into gospel territory with "I Know The Lord Has Smiled On Me," "Use My Lord I Pray," and the brief but impactful "I Owe My Life To Jesus," which at just over two minutes serves as a powerful closing statement.
What distinguishes "Follow Me" is Dodson's ability to avoid stark separation between funk and gospel, instead creating a unified sound where both elements enhance one another. The record stands as a testament to early 1980s funk-gospel fusion, appealing equally to soul collectors and gospel enthusiasts seeking authentic, groove-oriented spiritual music.
