Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 11/09/2004
Philadelphia International became a label to match
Motown in the 1970s, turning out hit after hit by following a brilliant production formula put together by songwriters
Kenny Gamble and
Leon Huff, and none of the label's artists were more successful than
the O'Jays. By melding contrasts and combining hard, gruff
gospel vocals with urbane melodies laid over hard
funk rhythms that were tempered with cushioning string sections,
Gamble and
Huff (and
the O'Jays) managed to both hit hard and sound smooth and safe at the same time, a trick that prefigured both the edgier side of
disco and modern urban
soul. This collection has some of the group's biggest hits, including the delightful
"Used ta Be My Girl" and the title tune. Listeners should be aware that the cuts used here of
"Back Stabbers," "For the Love of Money," and
"Love Train" are all live versions, and not the original singles.
~Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
;)
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