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This is one of those early-1970s soul album's that attracted a bit of attention when released, but in the ensuing decades has disappeared into oblivion. That's made it one of those groups that soul fans covet.

Jeff Burgess, Earl Davenport, Herman Hammond, and Cliff Perkins first came together in Jersey City, New Jersey in the late-1960s. Originally known as The Citation, they quickly morphed into Soul Generation scoring a contract with Newark-based Ebony Sound Records.

The quartet was initialled teamed with writer/producer Paul Kyser resulting in the release of 1972 their debut 'That's The Way its Got To Be' b/w 'Mandingo Woman' (Ebony Sound catalog number 175). Penned by Kyser, the song proved an unexpected national hit, leading Ebony Sounds to finance a supporting album - "Beyond Body & Soul". Curiously, perhaps because there was such a big investment at stake, original producer Kyser was replaced by Stan Vincent (who also co-wrote most of the album) and a full slate of big name sessions players including guitarist Hugh McCracken, bassist Chuck Rainey, and keyboardist Joe Sample were brought on for support. Nice decision since the results were simply dazzling. Gifted with a pair of first-class vocalists in Burgess (baritone) and Perkins (falsetto), these guys rolled through a fantastic collection of ballads and more up tempo numbers. All hyperbole aside, these guys were easily as good as any of their better know early-1970s competitors (think along the lines of The Chi-Lites, The Delfonics, The Dells, etc.).

With great wah wah guitar from Hugh McCracken, 'Super Fine' was a nice up tempo number showcasing Jeff Burgess' raspy voice and the group's impeccable backing harmonies. Always love the 'woos'. Could have been a massive hit with a bit of marketing. rating: **** stars

Cliff Perkins may have been the front man, but his falsetto wasn't as likeable as Burgess. That said, 'In Your Way' was a classic heartbreak ballad (emphasis on heartbreak). Early-1970s soul groups simply didn't get much better than this one. rating: **** stars

Perhaps the prettiest song on the album, 'Wait So Long' was another performance that had it all. Propelled by Perkins' falsetto, this one would have put the Chi-Lites, or Delfonics to shame. Killer performance. rating: **** stars

Their Rascals cover was also the first disappointment. Mind you the performance wasn't bad; I actually liked it better than The Rascal's original, rather the song just wasn't that great. The group harmonies on the refrain provided the song's highlights. rating: *** stars

With Burgess and Perkins sharing lead duties, 'Million Dollars' was a sultry old school ballad with a great melody and a hook ('if I had a million dollars, if I had a million bucks') that latched on and wouldn't let go. Easy to see why it was tapped as the album's second single. rating: **** stars

I'll admit I originally missed the charms embedded in 'Sailing'. Luckily my six year said he liked the song which gave me pause to reexamine my original opinion. Lo and behold I was wrong. Great track with another killer group harmony on the chorus. rating: **** stars

Complete with flute solo, 'Young Bird' originally struck me as being too jazzy for my tastes, but when I actually paid attention to the lyric I discovered this was actually one of their tougher, streetwise numbers ('pick up your sweet tail and run to me now'). Every heard the Delfonics singing a ballad about life on the streets like this one? I don't think so ! rating: **** stars

I'm a white, middle-aged guy so I'm not in a position to offer up any type of critique of a song like 'Black Man'. Co-written by Earl Davenport (his lone composition) and Stan Vincent, this was easily the toughest track on the album. It was also impressive in that it made a point without being in-your-face about the subject. Very nice. rating: **** stars

Hands down my favorite song on the album and a track I could listen to over and over ... The perfect vehicle for Perkins' fragile falsetto, 'Sweet Thing' had an instantly memorable melody, a great arrangement (courtesy of Tony Davilio and Richard Malfitano), while showcasing the group's to-die-for harmonies. Soul simply didn't get any better than this ... rating: **** stars

Yes, I know it provided them with a top-40 hit, but to my ears 'Body & Soul (That's the Way It's Got To Be)' was actually one of the weakest songs on the album. Sure it was a pretty ballad, but it sure sounded shopworn to me. Very, very old school - almost doo wop-ish. rating: ** stars

- 1972's 'That's The Way its Got To Be' b/w 'Mandingo Woman' (Ebony Sound catalog number ES 175)

Yeah, this one's expensive (you can always look for the Japanese P-Vine reissue catalog PCD-22230), but it's worth every penny. A classic slice of early-1970s soul. Besides, how could you not buy an album given those killer chapeaus?

The group released a couple of follow-on non LP singles, including one Cliff Perkins solo side:

- 1973's 'I Wonder What's She's Doing' b/w 'Key To Your Heart' (Ebony Sound catalog number ES 181)

- 1974's 'Praying For A Miracle' b/w 'In Your Way' (Ebony Sound catalog number ES 183)

Curiously the group doesn't seem to have recorded a follow-on though Perkins continues to perform with various Soul Generation line ups.

First of all I read your liner notes about the Soul Generations and I don't know who gave you that information about the group but you were mis-informed. I was never replaced by Stan Vencent. Let me tell you the true story of Me and the Soul Generations. When I produced Body and Soul I was a student in my senior year. All of us grew up in Jersey City and me and Jeff Burgess, Earl Davenport (my cousin) and Cliff Perkins went to Snyder High school. and me and Jeff had a group called the School Boys. I was classically musically trained. When I was in college I started producing a few hits one band was called the Nu Sound Express the song was called Ain't it Good Enough. years later they became the band called Rhyze with the hit Just How Sweet Is Your Love. Later sampled by R. Kelly on song be my #2. Jeff and the Soul Generations auditioned for every record company in New York and got turned down. Jeff Burgess came to me and asked me could I produce them. I was partners with my college buddy Tom Vetri and Tommy didn't like the group sound so I decided to produce them myself. At the time I was also working with Larry Brown and Erwin Lavine who wrote tie a yellow ribbon. They had a neighbor name Harvey Posner who had a battery and tire shop who had this urge to get into the music biz. I put up half the money and so did Posner. Now I had to find a song for the Soul Generation. I had written Body and Soul for Vince Jackson of the Nu Sound Express. I decided to record the soul Generations on the song. I shopped the master to every record company in New York and got turned down. Posner wanted nothing to do with a record company so I decided to put the song out myself and told Posner I would give him is small investment back. He agreed . I put the song out without a contract on the Soul Generations they were my friends. The song broke big and all hell broke out. Vetri wanted a 3rd and Posner said no. I owned 80 percent of the master and 100 percent of the song because I wrote it and owned the copyrights. Me and Jeff was working on Million Dollors. Posner refused to take his investment back. Instead he sold his interest to Hillary Records. They were gangsters from Newark. They offered me a suit case full of money and I turned them down but they was able to get to my Lawyer Bill Perkins who since then been disbared from practicing law. Bill Perkins who was Cliff Perkins cousin advised them to sign with them and I would have but no choice but to go with them. Well I refused and got ownership of my master 100% Million Dollars had my stamp on it. After one year that company went out of business and the Soul Generation never had another hit. I came back with Jimmy Briscoe and the Little Beavers 4 R&B hits including My Ebony Princess, also The Super Disco Band, the Weather Girls, The 3 Degrees, Ray Goodman and Brown. The Ultimate Truth, Terry Tate Babies Having Babies. 2 years after that the Soul Generations broke up. Jeff Burgess and I just recently did a song together. Jeff is now legally blind. Earl Davenport was found dead, Herman has his own group. Cliff Perkins now sings with a bunch of girls. Body and Soul was sampled by Ghostface Killer song White linens affair. With out my permission Cliff claimed to them he had the right to license them the song so my lawyer went after Cliff and Universal music and we won because i owned the copy rights and masters. Hey I made more money on that settlement when Body and Soul came out back in the day. The reason why I refused to produce the soul generations was because those guys were gangsters and crooks. All the Soul Generations got was a thousand dollars apiece. then after that fell through that came running back to me. I just pasted on them. It was not their fault but they got involved with bad people. After me producing over 30 hits I have my own recording studio and still produce artists. I now do a lot of Gospel and was nominated for a Steller award.