Elly Roberts reviews
The O'Jays: Imagination
Distributed by
Sanctuary Urban Records Group
- Cat.no: SANPR322
- Released: October 2004
- Rating: 6/10
Starting out in 1960 as The Mascots, they changed their name to The O’Jays, and became one of the most popular black vocal groups of the 70’s.
After much label hopping, they landed a deal with CBS, then moving on to
greater things with Philadelphia International. It all began for them in the
UK when the sublime Back Stabbers burst onto the chart in September 1972.
From then on they released stunning ballads or out-and-out dance hits, until
it all came to an end in 1983. 1973’s Love Train is a staple diet at
weddings and nightclubs, and one of my favourite party records of all time.
They’ve still been recording, but have failed to make the impact of their
heyday.
Into their fifth decade as recording artists, this 12-tracker, their
first in three years, I fear, will do little to do much to address their
former impact. That said, having witnessed the mutation of Soul into the
hideous genres of Hip-Hop and Rap, it’s great to see they’ve not succumbed to
current trends.
There’s a distinctive ‘ loungy’ feel, which brings the classic Soul sound bang
up to date. They have touched briefly, and thankfully briefly, on R’n’B
with Separate Ways and Why You Wanna Settle For Less. Reggae-tinged
Busy Tonight is an absolute classic. If you want to hear them go into
"sexy overdrive", check out the silky smooth I Would Rather Cry. Tagged
on the end is a great Christmas song – done in a Harry Connick Jnr big-band
style.
Commercially, track 5 – Chauvinistic is the possibly the only potential
single. Production is of the highest order, as is the fabulous vocal quality.
So far it hasn’t reached the BBC Top 40, so it’s possibly one for the fans.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
