The Emotions – Flowers
With their harmonious vocals and a blend of soul and R&B, this album offers a timeless listening experience. Tracks like “I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love” reflect the musical versatility of The Emotions. “Flowers” is a simple yet powerful album that combines soulful sounds with effective melodies, earning its place as an authentic and timeless work in soul music.
The Impressions – This My Country
The Impressions are clearly expressing their political views at this juncture – evident in the album cover featuring them amidst the wreckage of the ghetto and a title that boldly claims ownership while sadly reflecting the state of affairs. Curtis Mayfield’s songwriting shines brilliantly, striking the ideal balance between sweet soul and social commentary, making these late 60s endeavors some of their (and Curtis’) most compelling work. Their harmonies surpass the earlier years, and it leaves us somewhat nostalgic, wishing Curtis hadn’t ventured into a solo career, as we truly cherish the enchanting blend of his sweet raspy voice with Fred Cash’s deeper style.
The Stylistics – The Stylistics
This album stands as a masterpiece of harmony soul! Undoubtedly one of the greatest in the genre and a cherished gem from The Stylistics, and let me tell you, it’s a personal favorite! In the realm of vocal soul, this record truly elevated the standards during the ’70s. It propelled beyond the somewhat delicate ballad style prevalent in the late ’60s, embracing a smoother, more mature sound that was flawlessly produced yet retained the emotional depth of its predecessors.
The credit for the brilliance of this album goes to the maestro Thom Bell. His production and musical vision played a pivotal role in propelling The Stylistics to heights that few groups of this kind were reaching at the time. A standout track is their seminal extended version of “People Make the World Go Round,” clocking in at a substantial 6 minutes – a length that was quite uncommon for that era that’s also my favourite song of this album.
Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes – Wake Up Everybody
Teddy Pendergrass and crew, once again, deliver Teddy. On this album, they lean a bit more towards the political side than their previous releases, and it turns out exceptionally well! Two big hits grace this album – “Wake Up Everybody” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Unfortunately, this marks the band’s final album with Teddy’s vocals.
Temptations – Sky’s The Limit
In this list, practically any album by The Temptations could have made the cut, but this time, I’m opting for the album “Sky’s The Limit” because, in my opinion, the song “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” truly belongs among the classics. However, it’s evident that this isn’t the only great song on this album.
The Staple Singers – Be Altitude: Respect Yourself
About as classic as it gets with the Staple Singers an album crafted at that perfect juncture when the group was shaping an electrifying soul sound, propelling them to chart-topping success in the 70s. Filled with the righteousness of their gospel roots, yet infused with elements like electric piano and funky rhythm, the entire album exudes a distinctly secular groove. The approach is delightful reaching great heights in spirit while maintaining a grounded and earthy core.
The Natural Four – Natural Four
The Natural Four were one of the greatest soul harmony groups of the 70’s. Their contributions to Curtom Records exhibit a remarkable blend of gritty authenticity and refined craftsmanship, distinguishing them from their contemporaries on the East Coast. Leroy Hutson played a pivotal role in the album, serving as both arranger and producer, infusing it with an unparalleled quality that rivals the finest releases on Curtom Records during that era. The sound is full and polished, yet also honest, earnest, and personal – in that great mix of moods that Hutson and Curtis Mayfield could bring to their own work of the time.
The Soul children – The Soul Children
The Soul Children were an exceptional vocal ensemble hailing from Memphis, characterized by a unique vocal arrangement featuring two female and two male voices that resonated magnificently. Each member of the group possessed remarkable vocal prowess, resulting in a captivating blend of raw southern soul and mellifluous harmonies. Their sound was unparalleled, blending the authenticity of southern roots with the warmth of harmonious melodies, setting them apart as a truly incomparable group in their genre.
The Voices Of East Harlem – The Voices Of East Harlem
A remarkable achievement in the realm of sweet group soul! “The Voices Of East Harlem” marks the secular debut of a group previously known for their gospel-infused album on Elektra. Here, they transcend with a brilliant fusion of righteous mainstream soul styles, orchestrated by the formidable Curtom trio of Rich Tufo, Leroy Hutson, and Curtis Mayfield. This album stands as a departure from the usual Curtom productions, with Hutson and Curtomcollaborating alongside Tufo, who primarily handles arrangements in tandem with Hutson. The result is reminiscent of Hutson’s seminal work for Curtom in the mid-’70s, imbuing the record with a profound depth that places it among the finest soul albums of the decade.
The Dramatics – Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
My favourite Dramatics album! a gritty gem from the group’s early years, and a record that really deserves its placement on the Stax label! Funky but also soulful like the amazing ballad cut “In The Rain”, which has some of the most amazing production you’ll ever find on the Stax label!
