The Stylistics – Love Is Back In Style
The Stylistics started as a 4-strong vocal group in 1968. They were not part of that original Motown-Parkway-ABC-Paramount-Stax & Wand soul push that produced the work of groups that shaped the 60s. The Levi Stubbs & The Four Tops, the Isley Brothers, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles & Curtis Mayfield’s Impressions. They didn’t fall into that indulgent realm. But you could tell immediately that the Stylistics were just that – stylistic.
On this final CD the lead off tracks though heavy on falsetto & high tenor lead vocals do work with energetic splashes on the most emotional-driven tunes with impeccable backup vocals. They mixed it up with soulfulness & had a coat of gloss on their groove.
The reissue, with the majority of the 12 tracks by Philadelphia’s Stylistics 1996 LP was recorded in that soulful state of California (sarcasm) & became one of their final full albums.
The Love Is Back In Style (Drops March 8/Rujac Records/Omnivore/SoulMusic/Platinum Garage/54:00) reissue was produced by David Nathan & Cheryl Pawelski. Where the other soul vocal groups of the 60s had a rabid following with tight memorable catchy hits the 1970s R&B touch of The Stylistics marked a slightly different approach. The light touch Angelo Bond-type vocal superseded the big band rockier Four Tops arrangements.
The Stylistics had 2 decades of success then concentrated on live performances (this 90s CD was originally released on Preston Glass’ Marathon Records where he produced & wrote/co-wrote many of the songs. They were one of the greatest Philly soul groups & this effort is a reminder. Fortunately, the material despite being rich & descriptive love songs explored areas the more Motown-Stax-oriented vocal groups glossed over for bigger production values. The Stylistics preferred an almost refined Little Anthony & the Imperials design.
The vocal group continues to this day though new recordings/albums haven’t appeared since 2008. This reissue may stimulate interest since many in the 90s may have simply missed it. This was an era where new albums even by Chubby Checker & Dion DiMucci were ignored.
Highlights – “I Once Had a Love,” “She’s All That,” “Shoulder,” “Go,” “Where Do You Run,” “Love Can Heal A Wounded Heart,” “You Must Love Loneliness” & an exceptional bonus “She’s All That,” (Remix).
Musicians – Russell Thompkins, Jr., Airrion Love & Herb Murrell (lead vocals), The Stylistics (bgv vocals), Biggy Smallz (rap vocals), Preston Glass & Lam Batiste (all instruments), Joel Jaffe (guitar/shaker percussion/steel guitar) & Noel Closson (additional instruments).
Original executive producer/songwriter Preston Glass & associate producer Joel Jaffe. Track credits are detailed on the insert — produced individually by Preston Glass, Noel Closson, Felton Pilate, Larry Batiste, Fred L. Pittman & Ari Rios.
An 8pp stitched insert has liner notes & color images. CD cover photo courtesy of Phil Bray. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/love-is-back-in-style/ & https://www.thestylistics.org/
