Encounters Of Every Kind

Infobox Album
Name = Encounters Of Every Kind
Type = tribute
Artist = Meco


Released = 1977
Recorded =
Genre =
Length =
Label = Millennium Records
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album = "Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk"
This album = "Encounters Of Every Kind"
Next album = "Meco Plays The Wizard of Oz"

Encounters Of Every Kind is an album released bu Meco in 1977. It was released hot on the heels of the platinum "Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk", and Meco continued to develop his patented formula with this album, a loose tie-in with the film "Close Encounters of Every Kind". As a cohesive album it is a definite improvement over STAR WARS, with two sides of linked songs and none of the filler which dominated side 2 of its predecessor.

As with the first album, the key to the Meco formula is again the enigmatic Harold Wheeler, whose snappy arrangements and cool strings permeate its every groove. Indeed, without Wheeler, it is hard to say if there ever would have been a Meco, as the entire Meco catalogue is so permeated with Wheeler's stamp. The few albums which contain Meco without Wheeler, such as "Moondancer", are largely without substance or feeling. Which isn't to say that Meco isn't an indelible presence, but it seems clear that the key to the Meco formula was the collaborative effect of Meco PLUS Wheeler.

ENCOUNTERS OF EVERY KIND was the last Meco work to make a significant presence on the charts (#25, Billboard), which is unfortunate, because he continued to refine and improve his formula with subsequent releases, most notably THE WIZARD OF OZ. And sadly, none of these releases other than the Star Wars tie-ins, has been released on CD at present. A couple of tracks from this album are available on the hard-to-find BEST OF MECO disc, well-worth seeking out.