The Detroit Emeralds
Band members Related acts
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line up 1: (1968-71) as The Emeralds - James Mitchell -- vocals - Abrin Tilmon (RIP 1982) -- lead vocals - Cleophus Tilmon -- vocals - Ivory Tilmon -- vocals - Raymond Tilmon -- vocals
line up 2: (1971-74) as The Detroit Emeralds - James Mitchell -- vocals - Alvrin Tilmon (RIP 1982) -- lead vocals - Ivory Tilmon -- vocals
line up 3: (1974) as The Detroit Emeralds NEW - Joe Anderson -- vocals NEW - Larry Rice -- vocals - Alvrin Tilmon (RIP 1982) -- lead vocals
line up 4: (1977) NEW - James Mitchell -- lead vocals - Alvrin Tilmon (RIP 1982) -- lead vocals - Ivory Tilmon -- vocals NEW - Marvin Willis -- vocals
line up 5: (1977) NEW - Johnny Allen -- vocals NEW - Maurice King -- vocals NEW - Paul Riser -- vocals - Alvrin Tilmon (RIP 1982) -- lead vocals
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- Chapter 8 - The Floaters (James Mitchell) - The Tilmon Brothers Gospel Group
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Genre: soul Rating: 3 stars *** Title: I'm In Love with You Company: Westbound Catalog: WB
2018 Country/State: Little Rock, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: 2737 Price: $50.00
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Produced by group member James Mitchell, 1973's "I'm In Love With You" may be The Detroit Emeralds' most consistent and enjoyable release. These guys had a lot going for them. Abrim Tilmon may have been the front man and lead singer, but the group was blessed with three strong singers; brother Ivory Tilmon and friend Mitchell both having first rate voices. Unlike most soul groups, under the tutelage of the late Abrim, they also wrote all of their material. With Abrim responsible for most of the ten selection, in typical early-'70s fashion, musically the set was heavy on ballads and mid-tempo tunes. As good as ballads like 'So Long' and 'I Think of You' were, that served to make the non-ballads jump out at you. The opener 'Shake Your Head' was a nice, dance-ready tune, but the album highlight was the Detroit soul-meets Sly and the Family Stone stomper 'You're Getting a Little Too Smart'. Opening up with an oft sampled drum solo, and an aqually good bass line it was one of those rare tunes that was worth the cost of the album. These guys were clearly one of the genres' most talented entities. Makes you wonder why they aren't better known. Besides, how could you not admire a group with the gumption to wear matching lime green leisure suits ?
A decent seller, the album hit # 181 on the US pop charts and # 27 on the R&B charts.
"I'm In
Love with You" track listing: 1.) Shake Your Head (Abrim Tilmon) - 3:01 rating:**** stars Originally I found 'Shake Your Head' a bit too cutesy for it's own good. The song was nice enough with a catchy refrain and some unexpected jazzy horns, but so what ? And then one day in the Metro I found myself humming the song. It took me a minute to figure out what the hell I was humming, but when I did, I pulled the LP and discovered my initial impressions were just plain wrong. Great tune. 2.) So Long (Abrim Tilmon) - 6:03 rating:**** stars Nice, stretched-out, old-school ballad that showcased a distinctive Gospel feel. The trio had some wonderful harmonies on the refrain. Very relaxing tune. Not sure who the drummer was, but WOW !!! 3.) You're Getting a Little Too Smart (Abrim Tilmon) - 3:39 rating:***** stars You just knew that opening drum solo was going to get sampled to death and it has - 2Pac ('Only Fear of Death'); Common ('I Want You'); L.L. Cool J ('Back Seat of My Jeep'), Limp Bizkit ('The Nookei'), etc., etc. , ... Same with the hypnotizing bass line. Imagine what a mash-up of a Detroit soul group and Sly and the Family Stone would sound like and you'll be in the aural ballpark for this one. Simply killer tune that you won't be able to it still through. The song was tapped as a single:
- 1973's 'You're Getting a Little Too Smart' b/w 'Heaven Couldn't Be Like That' (Westbound catalog number W 213) # 101 pop; # 28 R&B 4.) I Think of You (Abrim Tilmon - James Mitchell) - 4:25 rating:**** stars This may sound kind of dumb, but with a breezy, positive vibe, 'I Think of You' was one of those rare songs that left you feeling better about yourself after hearing it. Fantastic vocal from Abrin Tilmon ... The song was also released as a single in the UK:
- 1973's 'I Think of You' b/w 'So Long' (Bellaphon catalog number 6146 104)
5.) You Control Me (Abrim Tilmon) - 3:28 rating:*** stars This may sound kind of dumb, but with a breezy, positive vibe, 'I Think of You' 'You Control Me' was actually a continuation of the earlier 'I Think of You' (the two were listed as being a medley. This part of the medley rocked considerably harder, but the melody wasn't quite as nice.
(side 2) 1.) What'cha Gonna Wear Tomorrow (Abrim Tilmon) - 4:14 rating:*** stars Sweet melody with the whole group blending their voices into what was one of the album's most pop-oriented tunes. That probably explains why it was released as the second single:
- 1973's 'What'cha Gonna Wear Tomorrow' b/w 'Lee' (Westbound catalog number W 220)
2.) Heaven Couldn't Be Like This (Abrim Tilmon) - 2:22 rating:**** stars A giddy melody and punchy Stax horns made 'Heaven Could Be Like This' a slice of Beach Music that you could shag to. That's a pretty high compliment. My only criticism is the song faded out far too early and far too abrupt. It's almost like they ran out of recording tape, or the sessions players told them they were off the clock, Shame. 3.) Without You Baby (Abrim Tilmon) - 1:34 rating:*** stars Another medley, the transition from 'Heaven Couldn't Be Like This' was abrupt, but once you go over it, the tune was fun, if too short. 4.) I'm In Love with You (Abrim Tilmon) - 6:39 rating;** stars The title track was the album's first disappointment. A slow boil ballad, you kept waiting for the song to kick into gear, but it just kind of droned on and on and on ... wonder how many times they repeated the title ? Pretty with some obvious doo-wop influences, but ultimately plodding and dull. 5.) My Dreams Have Got the Best of Me (Abrim Tilmon) - 2:48 rating:**** stars Sporting one of their tightest melodies and some too-die-for harmonies, 'My Dreams Have Got the Best of Me' has always reminded me of something a Philly International group might have recorded. Should have been a single.
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Genre: soul Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Feel the Need Company: Westbound Catalog: WB
302 Country/State: Little Rock, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: 1391 Price: $9.00
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Based on the throwaway album cover you couldn't be faulted for expecting to hear an album of mindless disco. While there was no denying 1977's "Feel the Need" reflected a disco influence, to their credit, The Detroit Emeralds remained largely true to their longstanding Memphis soul roots. That put them hopelessly out of synch with the buying public, but so what ... As on earlier albums, front man Albrim Tilmon was responsible for writing all of the material (their was one collaboration), as well as handling lead vocals. Tilmon certainly wasn't the most polished singer you've ever come across, but judging by tracks like the Al Green-influenced 'Take It or Leave Me', 'Wednesday', and 'Love for You' there was something quite appealing about his work. One thing that's always puzzled me about this set was the inclusion of a couple of previously released tunes. Both 'Set It Out' and the title track had previously been released as singles. The earlier versions were supposedly recorded with the Hi rhythm section, while the album versions feature different mixes. As far as I can tell, the differences are minimal.
"Feel the
Need" track listing: 1.) Set It Out (Abrim Tilmon - B Baine - L Crane) - 5:02 rating: *** stars Interestingly, ,credited to A.C. Tilmon/ & The Detroit Emeralds, 'Set It Up' had previously been released as a 1974 single. The album track, which was also released as a single, appears to be the same tune. How to describe the leadoff track 'Set It Out' ? How about mindlessly, laidback funky, but not hard core, George Clinton-styled funky ... Yeah, that seemingly captures the vibe. Nice horn propelled groove and while these guys weren't as smooth as say The Spinners, that slightly sloppy, second string feel was actually quite enjoyable. With a mix that was different from the album cut, Westbound tapped the tune as a single: - 1974's 'Set It Up' b/w 'I'm Qualified' (Westbound catalog number W 226) - 1977's 'Set It Out' b/w 'Wednesday' (Westbound catalog number WB 55404) 2.) Take It or Leave Me (Abrim Tilmon) - 6:03 rating: **** stars The presence of Willie Mitchell (along with some punchy Stax-styled horns)), probably went a long way to explaining why 'Take It or Leave Me' reflected a surprising Southern soul feel. Once again, there was something endearing in the group's slightly ragged delivery. Always loved the stabbing organ riffs. One of the album highlights. 3.) Feel the Need (Abrim Tilmon) - 7:08 rating: *** stars 'Feel the Need' was another recycled tune. With the title 'Feel the Need in Me', the tune was recorded with the Hi rhythm section and originally released as a 1972 single; just missing the top-20 R&B charts. Having hear both tunes they sound identical to me, but perhaps reflect slightly different mixes. Regardless, the tune found Albrim Timon and company trotting out their best Al Green impression. Nice Hi-styled soul groover, though the vocals were a bit one dimensional. Imagine Al Green singing with a head cold after running up three slights of stairs. That criticism apart, this was still a killer tune. -
1972's 'Feel the Need In Me' b/w 'There's a Love For Me Somewhere'
(Westbound catalog number W 209)
(side
2) The lyrics were hysterical, but 'Wednesday' was the album's most old-school soul tune and the standout performance. Love the group harmonies on this one. 2.) Love for You (Abrim Tilmon) - 5:15 rating: **** stars 'Love For You' was a hyper commercial mid-tempo ballad with more electric sitar (a-la-Delfonics), and a hook that wouldn't leave your head. 3.) Look What's Happened To Our Lives (Abrim Tilmon) - 3:12. rating: *** stars A slow groove tune, 'Look What's Happened To Our Lives' opened up with an introduction that sounded like it has been swiped from a Willie Mitchell session and never left the groove 4.) Sexy Ways (Abrim Tilmon) - 2:15 rating: ** stars Geez, guess they felt the need to record something that could get them a gig at the local lounge .... In spite of the title, this was a horrible slice of cocktail jazz-cum-soul. The only good thing going on here was the electric sitar effect in the background. 5.) Love Has Come To Me (Abrim Tilmon) - 5:00. rating: *** stars The band's stab at a bluesy ballad was decent, though not exactly overwhelming. Having listened to this tune a couple of times, I think the big shortcoming stemmed from the fact none of these guys have the kind of powerhouse voice needed to pull something like this off.
Sadly, only 37, Abrim Tilmon suffered a fatal heart attack in July, 1982.
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