Best of the Stylistics

The Stylistics were the pinnacle of the early Philadelphia sound before it became more dance oriented and eventually became disco. The early sound was basically the traditional streetcorner doo-wop ballad style with big, lush orchestrations. Much of this was the inspiration of Thom Bell, a brilliant composer and arranger who worked as a freelance artist in the Philadelphia area. He had formal training as a classical pianist and conductor and had studied composition and orchestration. He was the man behind the Delfonics but switched to the Stylistics in 1971. Later on he would revive the career of the Spinners.Bell's style of production for the Stylistics was much like that of the Delfonics: lots of strings with french horns adding an expansive feeling to the arrangements. He accented the music with instruments not usually used in R&B recordings like oboes, bassoons and sitar. He wisely avoided all pseudo-Indian style with the sitar which had been typical in the mid-60's, and it became a trademark in his early sound. With the Delfonics the lyrics had been written by William Hart, the group's falsetto voice. With the Stylistics the lyrics were by Linda Creed. Thom Bell favored falsetto voices and the Stylistics had Russell Thompson, Jr. whose smooth voice was the lead in every song. This was the opposite of what the Stylistics had been doing which was a variation of doo-wop where the lower voices sang the lead and the falsetto only added accents. You can hear this on You're a Big Girl Now (included on this CD) recorded soon after the group was formed from members of two groups, the Percussions and the Monarchs. This was before they met up with bell and is not one of his songs.The Stylistics recorded for Avco-Embassy, not Philadelphia International, so Gamble and Huff are not a factor here as they were with Billy Paul, the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and other Philly groups. With the Stylistics Bell struck pure gold, a succession of national crossover hits, mostly top 10's from late 1971 to 1974 including five gold records for sales over a million. You can't get much better than that. The sound is heavenly with Thompson's voice soaring with Bell's arrangements, a prime example of the slow soul ballads popular at the time. The only really uptempo numbers are Rockin' Roll Baby, which has a show band feeling much like the Spinners would later do, and Heavy Fallin' Out, a non-Bell song with a Philly International disco-like production.My favorite Stylistics song is the one that didn't do as well as the others, People Make the World Go Round, which only made it to #25, asawiched between million-sellers. When I first heard it in June of 1972 I was sure it was going to be one of the summer's big hits, especially with it's perfect opening of bass, synthesizer and even wind chimes joined by shimmering strings.The lyrics might have been the problem. It wasn't a love song like their usual, and wasn't biting social commentary either; it was more a statement like, "It's a crazy, funny world", not enough to interest most people. At least they included it here.The CD itself is a mixed bag. If Amazon gave different scores for performance and Cd the CD would be a 3 or 4. But I can't give the Stylistics, one of the greatest R&B groups ever, anything less than a 5. The CD is a stripped down affair and the Stylistics deserved better. There are no notes: not one word about the Stylistics or their songs. All the hits are here at least and that's enough for most people. It even includes a couple of the songs written for them by Avco owners Hugo and Luigi after Thom Bell left them for Atlantic's Spinners. Also, when Avco went bankrupt in 1978 it was acquired by Amherst Records who put out this disc, so they have the master tapes and the sound is excellent. But there are only ten songs, a 36 minute disc. Not only that but they don't have the songs in the order of release. At least that is easily fixed on a computer. They only made a duplicate of the 1975 LP. Even in the early CD era, an hour was standard. There should have been material from their albums added. They had a chance to fix this when they put out the 30th Anniversary Edition, but all they did was add three bonus tracks from Russell Thompson's Stylistics (the most valid of the three current touring groups). I now see a two-disc import has been released that has all of their singles, even obscure ones like Peek-a-Boo and follows them through 1976. But I probably don't want that much of their late material and will likely get some of their early albums for more of their classic sound.For most fans, old and new, this is the disc to get as it does have all the great Stylistics hits taken from original masters.

I'll make this quick. This album contains the essential songs, they're all here. What struck me was the sound and recording quality. For a recording of this age the tracks are clear and quiet and the vocals are in-your-face there. The only indication that this is an older recording is the lack of a bass-heavy approach to the mix. That was virtually impossible to do back in the day. I've been kicking back with a glass of wine lately and enjoying this record right alongside my Adele and Sam Smith ballads. Very nice.

I am maninly a rap fanatic, and I am mad young, and I ain't gone front, I know litle about this great soul group, but I will say this, this collective has some great 70's soul jams with great vocals and sweet hooks and smooth jams. Fans of Delfonics and similar groups who have not yet checked the Stylistics out should. Russel Thompkins Jr.'s mountain high falsetto is cool. "You Are Everything" is one of the best songs I have ever heard. I love how songs like this build up to a musical and vocal climax from the beginning of each verse to the wonderfully harmonic choruses. I love the simple lyrics of the song, and how deep the emotions are behind them. It is such a beautiful song. This jam along with "You Make Me Feel Brand New (my close 2nd fav here) really captivate the soul. I would like to experience the emotions the singers and writers had while creating these classics. "People Make The World Go Round" is a cool jam dealing with social issues in society. "Break Up To Make Up" is a little sadder and slower and as emotionally rich as any other here. It analyzes a rocky relationship with sweet yet somber vocals. I would have loved to grow up in a musical era with such rich songs. I love the airy chorus of "Betcha By Golly Wow" and "Stone In Love With You" and the breezy, sweet vibes they give off. "You're A Big Girl Now" is a bit upbeat and funky adressing a love interest coming of age. For some reason to me, this joint sounds cool for lowriding. If you like slower soul jams with breathtaking heavenly vocals and instruments, then this Stylistics collective has all the cool slow jams to evoke those feelings for ya boo. These songs all have a magical feel to them and define real soul music. Anyone going retro like me and exploring older soul should start with groups like The Stylistics.

Listening to this CD brings back junior & high school memories when these songs 1st came out. Love being transported back to less stressful times.

Certain soul groups are so smooth and beautiful to the ear that they reach way inside to a pleasure center that doesn't get tickled any other way. The Delfoncis come to mind, and so do the Stylistics. Both groups came from Philly, and both were backed by producer Thom Bell who relied on lyrics from Linda Creed. Both featured soaring falsettos, in the case of the Stylistics it was Russell Thompkins who led the way. While ultimately the Stylistics did not have the staying power the Delphonics would enjoy, their highs were just as high and they left us with some pop standards that will never go out of style.As long as there is romance, there will be reason enough to put on the Stylistics, and this CD delivers the "must-have" cuts in one neat package. Their anthem, People Make The World Go Round, sounds as fresh, sweet, and relevant today as when it was released. Betcha By Golly, Wow says what every lover wants to say and every lover wants to hear. Break Up To Make Up is bittersweet stuff, stinging with truth. You Are Everything is another ballad of crystalline beauty, as is Let's Put It All Together. Even the second-best songs on this disc were big hits in their day; this is a highly select offering. Everybody likes to rock out and everybody likes to Wang Chung, but if there's a part of you that resonates with the gentle vulnerability of love offered up like a flower, you will find that this music wraps you like a warm coat in winter and a welcome breeze in summer. Betcha by golly, wow, you're the one that I've been waiting for.

Great item - as described. Very happy customer

Great LP which arrived in excellent condition and plays perfectly.

They are the Stylistics n truly a wonderful group. Anyone who likes love songs shud definitely get this one!! I promise u won't regret it!

Balads with true harmony, this group will be in the heart of so many people, young and old. A fantastic album to sherish for ever.

As they say , "You can't get enough of that funky stuff".