The Stylistics


Band members                              Related acts

  line up 1 (1968-81)

- James Dunn -- baritone 

- Airron Love -- tenor 

- Herb Murrell -- baritone 

- James Smith -- bass 

- Russell Thompkins Jr. -- lead vocals 

 

  supporting musicians (1971)

- Charles Apollonia -- strings 

- Ronnie Baker – bass 

- Davis Barnett -- strings 

- Rocco Bene -- trumpet

- Albert Berone -- strings 

- Roland Chambers – guitar 

- Fredric Cohen -- oboe

- Linda Creed -- backing vocals

- Joe DeAngelis -- French horn

- Romeo Di Stefano -- strings 

- Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute 

- Stephanie Fauber -- French horn

- Vincent Forchetti --  trombone

- Mary Gale -- harp 

- Richard Genevese -- trombone 

- Norman Harris -- backing vocals

- Bobby Hartzell – trumpet 

- Barbara Ingram -- backing vocals

- Richard Jones -- strings 

- Rudy Malizia -- strings 

- Robert Martin – French horn 

- Vince Montana – percussion 

- Bob Moore -- trombone

- Lenny Pakula – piano, organ 

- Angelo Pretrella -- strings 

- Don Renaldo -- strings 

- George Shaw – flute 

- Tony Sinagoga -- strings 

- Larry Washington – congas 

- Earl Young – drums 

- Herschel Wise -- strings 

 

  line up 2 (1981-85)

- James Dunn -- baritone 

- Airron Love -- tenor 

- Herb Murrell -- baritone 

- Russell Thompkins Jr. -- lead vocals 

NEW - Raymond Thompson -- bass (replaced James Smith)

 

  line up 3 (1985-)

- James Dunn -- baritone 

- Airron Love -- tenor 

- Herb Murrell -- baritone 

- Russell Thompkins Jr. -- lead vocals 

NEW - Raymond Thompson -- bass (replaced James Smith)

 

 

 

- The  3 Tenors of Soul (Russell Thompkins Jr.)

- Russell Thompkins Jr. (solo efforts)

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  The Stylistics

Company: AVCO

Catalog: AV-33023

Year: 1971

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original AVCO inner sleeve; still in shrink wrap (opened)

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $20.00

 

Could 1971's "The Stylistics" be the late Thom Bell's finest moment as a producer?

 

Though they didn't release their first album until 1971, The Stylistics has been around since 1968.  All five group members had gone to the same Philadelphia high school, but Airrion Love, James Smith and Russell Thompkins Jr. had been members of the singing group The Monarchs.  James Dunn and Herb Murrell sang for The Percussions.  Love's English teacher suggested the two group's pool their talents and Slim and the Boys guitarist Robert Douglas suggested The Stylistics nameplate.  By 1970 they'd carved out small fan base playing the local club circuit and picked up a manager in the form of Marty Bryant.  They were signed by the small Philadelphia Sebring label, debuting with a 1970 single.

- 1970's 'You're a Big Girl Now' b/w 'Let the Junkie Bust the Pusher' (Sebring catalog number S-8370-Y)

 

When the song became a regional hit Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore's AVCO Embassy label scooped up their recording contract, reissuing the single.  The company's promotional resources saw the 45 hit the US Billboard R&B top-10 charts.

I'll readily admit their sophomore 45 is a mystery to my ears. Like their debut 45, the track was produced by Bill Perry (with Rudy Wilson co-producing).  Complete with Stax-styled horns, the single sounded nothing like the debut.  In fact, 'You Gotta Have Soul' sounded like a slice of Southern soul, rather than something out of the Philly soul catalog.  The gruff lead singer certainly wasn't Thompkins Jr..  In contrast the flip side ballad was a more typical Stylistics performance with a lead vocal that sounded like Thompkins.

 

- 1971's 'You Gotta Have Soul' b/w 'I'm Gonna Get You Back' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AVE 4570)

 

 

While the sophomore 45 wasn't a massive hit  AVCO Embassy remained committed to the group and went looking for a sympathetic producer to team with them  The label's initial choice was Thom Bell, but already busy with The Delfonics and other projects, he wasn't interested.  Impressed by lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr.  Bell eventually relented. agreeing to produce a Stylistics album.  Recorded at Philadelphia's Sigma Studios, 1971's "The Stylistics" could easily have been a Thompkins solo effort. The musical focus was clearly on Thompkins shimmery falsetto.  Reportedly Bell made little use of the other group members, frequently using other Philadelphia sessions musicians including Kenny Gamble, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler and Bell himself on backing vocals. The album also spotlighted Bell's considerable talents.  In addition to producing the album, Bell  arranging and conducted the orchestral backing.  Along with songwriting partner Linda Creed, he was also responsible for penning eight of the albums nine selections.  The lone exception came from the inclusion of the group's debut 45 'You're a Big Girl Now'.  At least to my ears, the album encapsulated Bell's highly melodic production sound. Complete with elaborate string and horn arrangements, the lush sound was instantly recognizable.  It was clearly soul, but soul that appealed to a broader audience - aka top-40 radio listeners.  There was no denying Thompkins led ballads like 'Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)', 'Betcha by Golly, Wow' and 'You Are Everything' were soul classics.  For goodness sakes, for a time in the early-'70s The Stylistics ruled the airwaves.  Perhaps because they're not as familiar to my ears as the hits, today I tend to gravitate to the album's more atypical performances.  A rare up-tempo tune, 'Point of No Return' sounded great on a dance floor.  With an unexpected lyric (how many early-'70s city dwellers were dreaming of moving to the country?)  'Country Life' was equally charming.  The act is virtually every one of these songs had commercial potential and ultimately all nine track were released as 45 "A" or "B" sides.  

 

Judging by this album, along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, it anyone could lay claim to "The Philadelphia Sound" it was Bell.  And perhaps I'm remembering this album through the proverbial rose colored glasses.  I wasn't even in my teens when The Stylistics started their chart run, but I can clearly recall a timeframe when commercial radio was far more open than it is today when stations seemingly limit themselves to a very narrow musical niche.  Growing up listening to Armed Forces Network and local European stations like Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg there was no one "sound". Radio stations seemed far more willing to mix things up - a Stylistics tune followed by a bubblegum tune and then something harder rocking ..The entire album reminds me of that timeframe and having been exposed to so many musical genres.  

 

"The Stylistics" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:54 rating: ***** stars

Supposedly one of the first songs Bell and Creed brought to the group, 'Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)' was the perfect ballad for the group.  Silky smooth; hyper-dramatic and draped in a near perfect melody, it was meant to be a song played at high school proms and weddings.  To this day hearing it brings a smile to my face.  Ironically, this was essentially a Thompkins solo effort.  The back vocals were not provided by the rest of The Stylistics, rather by Bell, Kenny Gamble, Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt and Bunny Sigler.  It was released as the album's first single.

- 1971's 'Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)' b/w 'If I Love You' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AV 4572) # 39 Billboard Hot-100 charts; # 6 Billboard R&B charts

2.) Point of No Return (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:45 rating: **** stars

Not one of their best known tracks, but 'Point of No Return' stands as one of my favorite Stylistics tunes.  Powered by Thompkin's unique voice and Roland Chamber' fuzz guitar, this was instantly recognizable as a Stylistics song, but as an atypical up-tempo dance number it was simply great. The song also appeared as the "B" side on their 'People Make the World Go Round' 45.

3.) Betcha by Golly, Wow (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 3:47 rating: **** stars

I'll be the first to admit I didn't know Connie Stevens originally recorded this song.  In fact, with Bell producing, under the title 'Keep Growing Strong' she released it as a 1970 single.  

 

To be honest other than the revamped title, The Stylistics' version wasn't much different from Stevens' version. At east to my ears 'Betcha by Golly, Wow' could very well have been the same musical track with Thompkins' vocals inserted over Stevens.  The songs sounded that similar.  Musically The Stylistics version was offered up another classic slice of Philly soul vocal group magic.  Released as the album's third single, the 45 was a bit shorter than the album track with a short end of song instrumental section edited out.

 

 

 

- 1972's 'Betcha by Golly, Wow' b/w 'Ebony Eyes' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AV 4591)  # 3 Billboard Hot-100 charts; # 2 Billboard R&B charts

4.) Country Living (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:57  rating: **** stars

Perhaps because it was another lesser know Stylistics tune, the bouncy ode to a pastoral life 'County Living' was another personal favorite.  The lyric were unexpected for a Philly-based soul group and perhaps a little optimistic, but the arrangement was magical.  The song also appeared as the "B" side of their 'You Are Everything 45.

5.) You're a Big Girl Now (Marty Bryant - Robert Douglas) - 3:14  rating: **** stars

Supposedly recorded for $400, 'You're a Big Girl Now' was released as their debut single and was the only non-Bell/Creed tune on the debut album.  Showcasing some of the doo-wop roots, the song certainly lacked the polish Bell brought to his work with the group, but that Stylistics sound was still recognizable. In fact, the song's rougher edge wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  Bass singer James Smith handled the spoken word segment.

  - 1970's 'You're a Big Girl Now' b/w 'Let the Junkie Bust the Pusher' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AV-4555)

 

(side 2)
1.) 
You Are Everything (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:55  rating: **** stars

Yes it was so sweet as to pose a threat to diabetics, but the hyper-romantic 'You Are Everything' brought it all together - Bell and Creed's artistry and Thompkin's unique voice.  

- 1971's 'You Are Everything' b/w 'Country Loving' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AV 4581)

2.) People Make the World Go Round (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 6:26 rating: **** stars 

Admittedly Bell and Creed's "protest" song wasn't going to pose a threat to Marvin Gaye's social and political commentary legacy.  Still, it it's own way 'People Make the World Go Round' was just as effective.  Opening with some ominous heavy winds sound effects, the song quickly shifted into a smooth, almost jazzy mode.  With Ronnie Baker's classic bass pattern anchoring the tune, Thompkins ran through a list of societal challenges, his vocals striking the perfect blend of concern, resignation and hope.  The extended jazzy fade out was a dream.  The fifth a final single off the album, it wasn't their biggest hit, but still made for a classic Stylistics performance.

- 1972's 'People Make the World Go Round' b/w 'Point of No Return' (AVCO Embassy catalog number AV 4595)

3.) Ebony Eyes (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:21 rating: **** stars 

Roland Chambers's jazzy guitar opening set the tone for what was one of their breeziest and most endearing performances.  Equally good was Lenny Pakula's brief Hammond B3 solo.  Fun to hear Thompkins voice double tracked on the chorus.  The song would have made a great 45, but was relegated to the "B" side on their 'Betcha by Golly,Wow' 45.

4.) If I Love You (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:05 rating: *** stars

Initially 'If I Love You' struck me as being a misfire. Bell's arrangement sounded over-arranged and too MOR-ish.  Luckily the song's catchy refrain saved it from oblivion. The song also appeared as the "B" side on their 'Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)' single.  (Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded a cover of the song in 1970.  Co-produced by Bell and George Butler, with a heavier arrangement and electric sitar backing, their version was actually better.

 

 

© Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Round 2

Company: AVCO

Catalog: AV-11006-598

Year: 1972

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original AVCO inner sleeve; minor ring wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4564

Price: $15.00

Cost: $66.00

 

All hyperbole aside, 1972's "Round 2" has to be considered one of the shining moments of mid-1970s soul.  Produced, conducted, arranged and largely written by Thom Bell (with Linda Creed getting co-writing credits on most of the ten tracks), the group's sophomore set proved a creative and commercial blockbuster.  Propelled by Russell Tompkin's instantly recognizable tenor and the cream of Sigma Studios sessions players, there simply wasn't a bad song on the set. Even the two MOR covers were stunning good - their take on Carole King's 'It's Too Late' was actually better than the original, while Thompkins and company managed to overcome Burt Bachrach and Hal David's penchant for sappiness on 'You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)'.  Personal favorite - the atypical up tempo 'Pieces'.  As mentioned before, the album proved a commercial bonanza, spinning off three top-40 hits for the group:

 

- 1972's 'I'm Stoned In Love with You' b/w 'Make It Last' (AVCO catalog number AV-4603)

- 1973's 'Break Up To Make Up' b/w 'You and Me' (AVCO catalog number AV-4611)

- 1973's 'You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)' b/w 'If You Don't Watch Out' (AVCO catalog number AV-4618)

 

Bottom line, it just doesn't get much better than this !!!  A classic album that no soul (or pop) fan should be without. (Always wondered about the different covers.  Most copies have the two fists super imposed over the globe.  Is this an early pressing, or a latter version?)

 

"Round 2" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I'm Stoned In Love with You   (Thom Bell - Anthony Bell - Linda Creed) - 3:22

2.) If You Don't Watch Out   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:37

3.) You and Me   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:46

4.) It's Too Late   (Carole King - Toni Stern) - 4:23

5.) Children of the Night   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 7:04

 

(side 2)
1.) You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)   (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 3:40

2.) Break Up To Make Up   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed - Kenny Gamble) - 4:02

3.) Peek-a-Boo  (G. Guess - N. Knox) - 2:56

4.) You're As Right As Rain   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 3:49

5.) Pieces   (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 3:13

 

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Rockin' Roll Baby

Company: AVCO

Catalog: AV-11010-598

Year: 1973

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original AVCO inner sleeve; minor ring wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 307

Price: $20.00

 

I guess it was only natural that after producing and writing much of the material for two killer albums for The Stylistics, Thom Bell and writing partner Linda Creed would start to run out of creative steam.  Mind you, by any standard 1973's "Rockin' Roll Baby" was another impressive collectiont, but amidst the hits and classic tunes, the collection showed a couple of frayed edges.  Interesting, perhaps the biggest problem came from the group's very successes.  By this time, powered by Russell Thompkins Jr.'s silky smooth voice, The Stylistics had established a highly distinctive sound.  More than most of their contemporaries, The Stylistics were wedded to hyper-smooth ballads and anything that strayed too far from those stomping groups put them at risk to running afoul of finicky audiences.   At the same time, their material was beginning to sound like retreads ...   how many silky smooth ballads does it take before an audience is bored ?   Exemplified by material like 'Could This Be the End', 'Pay Back Is a Dog', 'Love Comes Easy' and 'There's No Reason' there were enough first rate tunes to get them through this set with flying colors, but most folks would agree this was the last classic Stylistics set ...  It also marked the end of Thom Bell's association with the group.

 

A shade under the caliber of the first two albums, but still very much worth owning !!!   Powered by the hits, the parent album hit # 66 on the pop charts and # 5 on the R&B charts.

 

"Thank You Baby" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Only for the Children (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 4:38   rating: *** stars

I always loved the upbeat opening segment, the jittery trumpet, and the soap opera-ish lyric on this one ...  Unfortunately, the song then sort of lost its way.  It was instantly recognizable as a Stylistics track, but this time around writers Bell and Creed failed to nail one of those incideously catchy hooks.  That left Russell Thompkins Jr. and company struggling to fight their way through the song.

2.) Could This Be the End (Joseph B. Jefferson - Bruce Hawes - Charles Simmons) - 4:09  rating: **** stars

Written by a group better known for their work with The Spinners, to my ears 'Could This Be the End' was one of The Stylistics' more sophisticated songs and arrangements ...   A bit slow off the mark, but when it got going this was a classic Stylistics tune that probably should have been tapped as a single.   

3.) Let Them Work It Out (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 3:58  rating: **** stars

I'll readily admit that when these songs originally came out I frequently overlooked the emotional depth associated with many of them ...  'Let Them Work It Out' was a perfect example with Bell and Creed crafting a song that took a subtle swipe at the gossip monger in all of us.  One of their prettier melodies too boot.  

4.) Make It Last (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 2:59   rating: *** stars

Classic Stylistics sound, but a 'Make It Last' found Bell and Creed steering them awfully close to elevator music ... 

5.) Pay Back Is a Dog (Thom Bell - Kenny Gamble) - 4:31  rating: **** stars

The title seemed to promise a change of pace for the group, but no, 'Pay Back Is a Dog' was a standard Stylistics ballad ...   Admittedly they turned the title into a killer hook that you simply can't shake.  (Urban legend has it that Bell and Gamble wanted the title to be 'Pay Back Is a Bitch' but decided it was too risky.)  

 

(side 2)
1.) Love Comes Easy
 (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 4:58  rating: **** stars

A classic Bell-Creed composition, 'Love Comes Easy' added a mild jazzy flavor to their patented sound.  The results were stunning.    

2.) There's No Reason(Joseph B. Jefferson - Bruce Hawes - Charles Simmons) - 3:58  rating: **** stars

With a breezy melody, harpsihord (I'm a sucker for the sound), and  a hyper-catchy refrain, 'There's No Reason' was another one of those songs that would have made a dandy single.  

3.) Rockin' Roll Baby (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 4:27  rating: **** stars

Say what you will, 'Rockin' Roll Baby' was a major change in direction for the group. The funny thing is the group apparently realized they needed to try something different, specifically asking Thom Bell and Linda Creed to craft an up-tempo number for them.   Yeah, it retrospect it was a bit too cutesy, but I remember hearing it on the radio and thinking it was great.   It was tapped as the album's leadoff single: 

- 1973's 'Rockin' Roll Baby' b/w 'Pieces' (AVCO catalog number AV 4625) # 14 pop; # 3 R&B

 

YouTube has a clip of them lip synching the track on Soul Train:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WCZEwagEXs  

4.) You Make Me Feel Brand New (Thom Bell - Linda Creed) - 5:20  rating: **** stars

The Coral sitar made this one instantly recognizable, as did the fact Airrion Love finally got a chance to showcase his attractive baritone voice  (Love and Thompkins Jr. shared lead vocals).   Creed apparently began writing the song when she got engaged, feeling it was one of her best lyrics.  Bell was less than impressed, feeling the song was way too religious and initially refusing to record it.  Creed's father prevailed on Bell to give the song a chance and he eventually relented.  One of their all time biggest hits ...   The album's second single: 

- 1974's 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' b/w 'Only for the Children' (AVCO catalog number AV 4634) # 2 pop; # 5 R&B

YouTube has a clip of the group doing the song on Soul Train:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu1Ezr1YEoY  

 

5.) I Won't Give You Up (Joseph B. Jefferson - Bruce Hawes - Charles Simmons) - 3:38  rating: **** stars

Perhaps because it avoided the cutesy factor in the title track (plus it had some fuzz guitar), the up-tempo 'I Won't Give You Up' has always been a personal favorite.  One of the album's forgotten treasures ...

 

 

©Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Heavy

Company: AVCO

Catalog: AV-69004

Year: 1974

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: small punch hole top left corner

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $15.00

 

It's sad to see his album is largely remembered for the fact it marked The Stylistics' second post-Thom Bell release. With Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore again sitting in the producer's chair (Van McCoy conducting and arranging), admittedly 1974's "Heavy" was neither heavy, nor their best album, but it certainly deserves a better reputation in their recording retrospective. I'd argue it might be their last really good release.  With Peretti, Creatore and George David Weiss responsible for all of the material, exemplified by tracks like 'The Miracle', the single 'Star on a TV Show' and 'Don't Put It Down Til You Been There' the focus remained on sweet ballads.  Russell Thompkins Jr.'s instantly recognizable falsetto was featured throughout most of the set, but this time around Airrion Love got to showcase his talents on a couple of tracks.  Even more of a surprise, Herb Murrell was pulled off the back-up bench, showcasing a great set of pipes on the upbeat 'She Did a Number on Me.'  Bell may have been out of the picture, but producers Peretti and Creatore were not shy when it came to borrowing some of his studio moves - check out the repeated use of electric sitar, harpsichord and those instantly recognizable layered harmonies.  And while most of us bought the album for those patented ballads, I'll admit the biggest surprise and one of the standout performances came in the form of the soul-psych track 'Heavy Fallin Out' and the disco-tinged 'Hey Girl, Come And Get It.'   Clearly a transitional album, but not half bad.  

 

 

Always liked Bill Ronalds' busy cover illustration.  Wonder how much time I've spent looking at the details. 

 

Who knows why, but in the UK the album was re-titled "From the Mountains" (AVCO catalog number 9109 002) and slapped with new cover art.  It was an odd marketing move given neither the track listing or track order were changed.

 

 

 

"Heavy" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Miracle (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 4:22 rating: **** stars

Thom Bell may have been gone, but producers Peretti and Creatore were not shy when it came to borrowing some of his studio moves - check out the opening electric sitar.  A classic Stylistics ballad, 'The Miracle' was interesting given Airrion Love and Russell Thompkins Jr. alternated lead vocals.  The quasi-religious lyrics were also unexpected and different.

2.)  She Did A Number On Me (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 4:02  rating: *** stars

The upbeat 'She Did A Number On Me' served to showcase the fact The Stylistics were more than the voices of  Russell Thompkins Jr., or Airrion Love.  With Herb Murrell taking the spotlight, you had to laugh at the thought of a group so rich in talent that his rich voice was delegated to back-up on most of their catalogs.  

3.) Star On A TV Show (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 4:10  rating: *** stars  rating: *** stars

Thom Bell was gone, but you would never have known it listening to the patented ballad 'Star On A TV Show.'   Thompkins Jr.'s patented delivery sounded great; the lyrics underscoring the group's reputation as great balladeers.  The only real difference I detect came in the form of Van McCoy's heavy string arrangement which lacked some of the grace associated with Bell's best work.  It was an odd choice for a single.

- 1975's 'Star On a TV Show' b/w 'Hey Girl, Come and Get It' (AVCO catalog number AV 4649_  Billboard  # 47 pop charts

4.) Heavy Fallin' Out (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 5:18 Billboard # 41 pop charts rating: **** stars

At least to my ears 'Heavy Fallin' Out' was unlike anything The Stylistics had ever recorded before. Van McCoy's arrangement has always reminded me of something out of the Norman Whitfield school of psych-soul.  The lyrics were a hoot ..."can give up drinkin', that's okay, my love I can quit my smoking any day, my love Anything the devil sells I can dwell without But baby, baby, once you fall in love ..."  As mush as I love Thompkin Jr's voice, I've always through Airrion Love or Herb Murrell  would have been a better choice to carry the tune.

 

- 1974's 'Heavy Fallin' Out' b/w 'Love Is the Answer' (AVCO catalog number AV 4647)

 

(side 2)
1.) 
What's Happenin', Baby? (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 3:40 rating: **** stars

For goodness sakes, the arrangement even opened up with electric sitar ...  Thom who?  One of Thompkins Jr.'s best ever performances.  It would have been even better had they toned down McCoy's string arrangement.

2.) Go Now  (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 3:27 rating: *** stars

After opening with Thompkins Jr.'s voice, 'Go Now' turned the spotlight over to Airriion Love.  Lovely, highly romantic performance which left you wondering why Love didn't get more spotlight time.

3.) Don't Put It Down Til You Been There (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 3:23  rating: **** stars

Exemplified by the ballad 'Don't Put It Down Til You Been There', to my ears Thompkins Jr. remains the king of heartbreak.  Always loved the refrain on this one.  Amazing they managed to make it so catchy. 

4.) Hey Girl, Come And Get It (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 3:30   rating: **** stars

Ballads were obviously their claim to fame, but the prototype disco flavored 'Hey Girl, Come And Get I' demonstrated they were capable of much more.  With Thompkins Jr. and Murrell sharing lead vocals, the song boasted a breezy, catchy melody and great refrain.  This one avoided the blandness that overwhelmed so much of McCoy's future disco work.  Tapped as the "B" side to their 'Star On a TV Show' 45, it would have been a better choice as the "A" side. 

5.) From The Mountain (Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore - George David Weiss) - 4:08   rating: **** stars

With an apocalyptic lyric, 'From the Mountain' was a very atypical tune for the group.  I'm hard pressed to think of another Stylistics song that had such a non-secular lyrics.   Let me add the harpsichord and electric sitar backing gave the tune a distinctive Thom Bell feel.  For some reason the song was tapped as a Japanese single:

 

 

 

 

- 1975's 'From the Mountain' b/w 'Thank You Baby' (AVCO catalog number JET 2312)

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Scott R. Blackerby July 2024

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Thank You Baby

Company: AVCO

Catalog: AV-69008

Year: 1975

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+//VG+

Comments: 

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4563

Price: $10.00

Cost: $66.00

 

 

All good things must come to an end and The Stylistics string of creative and commercial success started to rapidly decline with the release of 1975's "Thank You Baby".  With long standing producer Thom Bell no longer working with the group, Hugo Creatore and Luigi Peretti were brought in as replacements, with Van McCoy handling arrangements.  The combination may have looked good on paper, but in practice it was pretty much a disaster.  Penned by Creatore, Peretti and George David Weiss, material such as the title track, 'Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) and 'I'd Rather Be Hurt By You (Than Be Loved By Someone Else)' simply wasn't very strong.  With the exception of the goofy 'Honky Tonk Cafe' and the up tempo 'I'm Gonna Stay', Thompkins and company seemed uninspired by the songs.  For goodness sale, they even made Herb Murrell waste his nice voice handling the lead on an awful disco song ('Disco Baby').  Not a proud moment in The Stylistics' catalog ...

 

"Thank You Baby" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Thank You Baby   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:43

2.) Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:13

3.) What Goes Around Comes Around   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:09

4.) I'd Rather Be Hurt By You (Than Be Loved By Someone Else)   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:38

5.) Disco Baby   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:15

 

(side 2)
1.) Tears and Souvenirs   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 4:07

2.) A Honky Tonk Cafe   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3;30

3.) I'm Gonna Win   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 4:16

4.) Stay   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 3:04

5.) Sing Baby Sing   (Hugo Creatore - Luigi Peretti - George David Weiss) - 2:50

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Hurry Up This Way Again

Company: TSOP

Catalog: JZ-36470

Year: 1980

Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: still in shrink wrap

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4866

Price: $10.00

 

With late-1970s popular tastes having rendered old school soul out of fashion,   The Stylistics would seem to have been up the proverbial creative and commercial creek.  To their credit, the group still had a couple of tricks up their collective sleeves, including getting Philadelphia International's TSOP subsidiary to sign them to a contract. 

 

Under the Gamble-Huff umbrella 1980's "Hurry Up This Way Again" sought to blend the group's patented moves with Philly International's instantly recognizable pseudo disco-ish sound.  To be honest, the results were somewhat mixed.  On upbeat, dance-oriented tracks such as 'Driving Me Wild' and 'It Started Out' Russell Thompkins Jr.'s falsetto simply wasn't a great match for pounding dance beats and the usually Philly International production touches (female backing choruses, heavy orchestration).  Among the few exceptions where the blend worked were the pensive title track (very nice) and the bouncy 'Found a Love You Couldn't Handle'.  In contrast big ballads like the gorgeous 'And I'll See You No More', 'Maybe It's Love This Time' and 'I Have You, You Have Me' were far closer to the group's famous sound and past glories, but by the same token were simply out of tune with contemporary tastes. TSOP also tapped the album for a couple of singles which returned the group to the R&B charts.

 

- 1980's 'Hurry Up Tis Way Again' b/w 'It Started Out' (TSOP catalog number ZS9-4789 # 18 R&B

- 1980's 'And I'll See You No More' b/w 'Driving Me Wild' (TSOP catalog number ZS9-4798) # 70 R&B

 

"Hurry Up This Way Again" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Driving Me Wild   (Cynthia Biggs - C. Gilbert - Ted Wortham) - 4:53

2.) And I'll See You No More   (Russell Thompkins - R. Johnson) - 3:42

3.) Found a Love You Couldn't Handle   (S. Marshall - J. Ingram - B. Ingram) - 4:36

4.) Maybe It's Love This Time  (J.B. Jefferson - R. Roebuck - C.B. Simmons) - 

 

(side 2)
1.) Hurry Up This Way Again   (Cynthia Biggs - Dexter Wansel) - 5:53

2.) It Started Out   (D. Brown - J. Bryant - T. Price - D. Jordan) - 4:30

3.) I Have You, You Have Me   (J. Gugliuzza) - 4:16

3.) It There Something On Your Mind   (D. Brown - T. Price - D. Jordan) - 4:15

 

 

 

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