line up 1 (1971-73)

- Helen Curry -- vocals

- Chuck Jackson -- vocals

- Maurice Jackson -- vocals

- Marvin Yancy (RIP 1985)  -- vocals, keyboards

  line up 2 (1973)

- Helen Curry -- vocals

- Chuck Jackson -- vocals

- Maurice Jackson -- vocals

NEW - Eric Thomas -- vocals (replaced Marvin Yancy)

- Helen Curry (solo efforts)

- Chuck Jackson (solo efforts)

- Maurice Jackson (solo efforts)

- Maurice (Maurice Jackson)

- Maurice and the E.T. Group (Maurice Jackson)

- Marvin Yancy (solo efforts)

Genre: soul

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice

Company: Wand

Catalog: WDS 696
Year: 1973

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened)

Available: 2

Catalog ID: 6337

Price: $15.00

The Independents' sophomore album 1973's "Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice" featured a personnel change - original member Marvin Yancy replaced by Eric Thomas.  While Yancy dropped out of active performing, he continued his working relationship with the group, but this time around in the role of songwriter and producer.  Co-produced by Jackson and Yancy, the album seemingly sought to find a balance between past successes and some new directions.  While the heavy reliance on ballads certainly served the group well on the debut album (wracking up a series of radio hits), Jackson and Yancy were smart enough to avoid falling into an aural trap with this album.   There were still plenty of old school ballads showcasing Chuck Jackson's lead vocals (though Curry was notably absent throughout the set).  'The First Time We Met' and the breezy 'Lucky Fellow' were first rate ballads, easily as good as anything on the debut   Less impressive were the single 'It's All Over' and the closer 'Sara Lee'.  That said, this time around the highlights came in the form of the group's atypical offerings; among them the bluesy The Same Old Way'' and the up tempo numbers 'No Wind, No Rain' and 'Show Me How'. 

back left to right: Maurice Jackson - Eric Thomas - Chuck Jackson; front Helen Curry

"Chuck, Helen, Eric. Maurice" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) It's All Over   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:40  rating: ** stars

Tapped as the album's only single, 'It's All Over' has always struck me as one of the set's weakest numbers.  A hyper-sensitive, heavily orchestrated, Gospel-tinged ballad, to my ears this one almost sounded like a parody of mid-1970s soul groups with Jackson screeching in pain, begging forgiveness for a multitude of domestic sins ...   walk out the door baby.  You can do better. 

- 1973's 'It's All Over' b/w 'Sara Lee' (Wand catalog number WND-11263-A/B) # 65 pop; # 13 R&B   

2.) No Wind, No Rain   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 2:54     rating: **** stars

One of their rare up-tempo numbers, 'No Wind, No Rain' was easily one of the album's standout performance.  I'm not sure who handled the lead on this one, but sporting one of those melodies that climbed into your head and wouldn't leave, this one has always reminded me of one of those fantastic Gladys Knight and the Pips hits.   Classic backing vocals to boot ! 

3.) The Same Old Way   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:25     rating: **** stars

Another one of the album's standout performances, 'The Same Old Way' deserved attention simply for the fact it was so different from their normal work.  Kicked along by a barebones bass pattern and some of Yancy's churchy keyboards, the song offered up a tough, pounding, blues-tinged performance.  If you thought Jackson could only handle light ballads, then this was a revelation.   

4.) I Found Love On a Rainy Day   (M. Barge - J. Jiles) - 2:35     rating: **** stars

One of two non-originals, 'I Found Love On a Rainy Day' was probably the album's most blatantly commercial offering.  Showcasing a nice melody and some beautiful backing harmony vocals, it's always reminded me of something Thom Bell might have penned for The Spinners.  This was the track Wand should have tapped as a single.    

5.) The First Time We Met   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 4:11    rating: *** stars

A pretty and precious ballad, 'The First Time We Met' was a typical Jackson-Yancy offering.  It was the perfect example of what the pair did well; showcasing another gorgeous melody and Jackson's heart wrenching lead vocals.  It also underscored their artistic shortcomings in thatthere wasn't a single original note over the three minutes.  Surprising it wasn't tapped as a single.  YouTube has a clip of the group lip synching the song on Soul Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hUYMNSuiAM   Extra star for Jackson's effort to channel Al Green on the vocals.

(side 2)
1.) In the Valley of My World   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 4:25   rating: *** stars

Opening up with some nice Yancy keyboards, 'In the Valley of My World' took awhile to get into gear, but was ultimately another winning ballad with Jackson and Thomas (?) sharing the lead vocals.  Actually Curry stole the show when her vocal came in at the end of the track.    

2.) One Woman Do Right Man   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:19    rating: **** stars

Another personal favorite, 'One Woman Do Right Man' had another catchy melody, more first-rate bass, some punchy horn charts, and some great call-and-response harmonies that served to showcase the group's sterling backing vocals. 

3.) Show Me How   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:07    rating: **** stars

The pounding bass opening on 'Show Me How' recalled something Norman Whitefield might have written for The Temptations.   Anyone who thought these guys could only handle light ballads needs to check this one out.  Simply a killer tune.  

4.) Lucky Fellow   (G. Dickerson - C. Boyd) - 3:37     rating: **** stars

The album's best ballad, 'Lucky Fellow' managed to avoid their usual hyper-sensitivity in favor of a charming melody and a breezy, carefree vocal.  Boy they sure knew how to churn out some wonderful harmony vocals ... 

5.) Sara Lee   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:29r  ating: ** stars 

On the heels of their best ballad, came their worst performance - the sappy and forgettable 'Sara Lee'.      

It's always struck me as kind of funny that critics favor the first album while my tastes tilt to this one.  I've always been a sucker for a great ballad, but this one had much greater variety.  A couple more up tempo numbers and some promotion from Wand and this would have been a classic rather than an also-ran.

And with the exception of a couple of non-LP singles and a posthumous 'best of'' collection (1974's "Discs of Gold" Wand catalog number WDS-699), that was it for The Independents.  Reportedly increasingly unhappy with Sceptor/Wand management's booking keeping and the lack of royalties, Jackson and Yancy subsequently turned their attentions to writing and production, scoring their biggest successes working with Natalie Cole.  Yancy was even briefly married to Cole.   Both Jackson and Yancy recorded solo albums.  Sadly, Yancy suffered a fatal heart attack in 1985. 

Genre: soul

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Discs of Gold

Company: Wand

Catalog: WDS 699
Year: 1973

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; cut out hole lower right corner

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 3035

Price: $15.00

For a group that only released two studio sets, the posthumously released "Discs of Gold"was a bit of a marketing stretch.   The ten tracks were split across the earlier studio sets - five songs from 1972's "The First Time We Met" three tracks from 1973's "Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice" and a pair of non-LP singles ('Arise and Shine (Let's Get it On)' and 'Let This Be a Lesson To You').  While the compilation pulled together a nice mixture of material, I'd argue the focus on singles came at the expense of some of their best material - missing in action were classic album cuts like 'No Wind, No Rain', 'The Same Old Way', 'I Found Love On a Rainy Day', and 'Show Me How' (those only reflecting missed treasures from the second album).   Obviously, if you owned the studio sets, there wasn't a lot here to attract your attention.  If you didn't own those albums, this was an easy way to catch up on their catalog.   

"Discs of Gold" tracking listing:

(side 1)

1.) Leaving Me  (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:20   rating: **** stars

'Leaving Me' was the kind of song that should have paid Curtis Mayfield and The Staple Singers a share of copyright royalties ....   The song just oozed a sweet, uplifting '70s vibe.  Curiously the single credited the tune to Maurice Barge and Jimmie Jiles, though the album showed it as a Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy collaboration.  Previously released as a single off their debut LP.

- 1972's 'Leaving Me' b/w 'I Love You, Yes I Do' (Wand catalog number WND 11252)

2.) It's All Over   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:35   rating: ** stars

Tapped as the second album's only single, 'It's All Over' has always struck me as one of the set's weakest numbers.  A hyper-sensitive, heavily orchestrated, Gospel-tinged ballad, to my ears this one almost sounded like a parody of mid-1970s soul groups with Jackson screeching in pain, begging forgiveness for a multitude of domestic sins ...   walk out the door baby.  You can do better. 

- 1973's 'It's All Over' b/w 'Sara Lee' (Wand catalog number WND-11263-A/B) # 65 pop; # 13 R&B   

3.) I Love You, Yes I Do  (Maurice Barge - Jimmie Jiles)- 2:50  rating: *** stars

One of two non-originals, surrounded by what sounded like an early disco arrangement, ' I Love You, Yes I Do' was another atypical performance.   Maybe because it found the group breaking out of the ballad mold, it was a nice change of pace.

4.) In the Valley of My World   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 4:25  rating: *** stars

Another track of the second album, opening up with some nice Yancy keyboards, 'In the Valley of My World' took awhile to get into gear, but was ultimately another winning ballad with Chuck Jackson and Eric Thomas (?) sharing the lead vocals.  Actually, Helen Curry stole the show when her vocal came in at the end of the track.    

5.) Just As Long As You Need Me   (Chuck Jackson - Jerry Butler - Marvin Yancy) - 6:00   rating: **** stars

A cut off their debut album and released as their second single ...  Sweet ballad that showcased their wonderful harmonies.   With Jackson turning in an extended mid-song vamp, Wand split the song into two parts for the single.   

- 1972's 'Just As Long As You Need Me' (Part I) b/w Just As Long As You Need Me' (Part II) (Wand catalog number WND-11245)

(side 2)

1.) Baby I've Been Missing You   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:48

Another single off the debut album ...  The opening vamp was a turnoff, but I can see why the sappy "breakup" lyrics made this ballad so popular.

- 1973's 'Baby I've Been Missing You' b/w 'Couldn't Hear Nobody Say (I Love You Like I Do)'' (Wand catalog number WND 11258)

2.) The First Time We Met   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 4:08    rating: *** stars

A pretty and precious ballad, 'The First Time We Met' was a typical Jackson-Yancy offering.  It was the perfect example of what the pair did well; showcasing another gorgeous melody and Jackson's heart wrenching lead vocals.  It also underscored their artistic shortcomings in thatthere wasn't a single original note over the three minutes.  Surprising it wasn't tapped as a single.  YouTube has a clip of the group lip synching the song on Soul Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hUYMNSuiAM   Extra star for Jackson's effort to channel Al Green on the vocals.

3.) Arise and Shine (Let's Get it On)   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 3:15   rating: *** stars

Another earlier single, 'Arise and Shine (Let's Get It On)' was a bit different from your typical Independents ballad.  An up-tempo tune with an uplifting, patented '70s lyric, it wasn't all that original, but  still had a high catchiness quotient.  YouTube has a clip of the group lip-synching the tune on a May 1974 Soul Train appearance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh-QNf_dH8U   Funny to watch the Soul Train dancers struggling to find the song's groove.

- 1974's 'Arise and Shine (Let's Get It On)' b/w 'I Found Love On a Rainy Day' (Wand catalog number WND 11273)

4.) I Just Want To Be There  (Maurice Barge - Jimmie Jiles) - 3:23   rating: ** stars

A big, overweight, bland, shrill, shrieky, and forgettable ballad, 'I Just Want To Be There' was one of the weakest things they ever did.  Admittedly, they didn't write it, but you had to wonder why it was tapped as the group's debut single.  Yech.

- 1972's 'I Just Want To Be There' b/w 'Can't You Understand It' (Wand catalog number WND 11249)

5.) Let This Be a Lesson To You   (Chuck Jackson - Marvin Yancy) - 5:01   rating: *** stars

I'm not a big fan of spoken word vamps and 'Let This be a Lesson To You' started out with one that I found particularly irritating.  The song got better when its Gospel roots showed up.   This one was also released as a single:

- 1974's 'Let This Be a Lesson To You' b/w 'No Wind, No Rain' (Wand catalog number WND 11279)