The Best Of MFSB: Love Is The Message

M.F.S.B. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 16, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 31, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Legacy
• ASIN: B000002AVB
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,496 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Songs Include : Interlude / Love Is The Message / Poinciana / Freddie's Dead / My One And Only Love / Sexy / Something For Nothing / Zack's Fanfare - I Hear Music / Back Stabbers / Bitter Sweet / T.S.O.P. - The Sound Of Philadelphia / Cheaper To Keep Her / My Mood / T.L.C. - Tender Lovin' Care / Philadelphia Freedom / Smile Happy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Symphonic Soul, August 2, 2001

By 

Ibochild (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Of MFSB: Love Is The Message (Audio CD)

Like the Ramsey Lewis Trio did in the 1960s, MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) specialized in jazz-flavored instrumental covers of pop tunes. Both groups are clearly distinguished from the plethora of so called "soft jazz" acts that simply mimic the original recordings with the lead vocals taken out.

In this sixteen track set, MFSB covers several popular tunes from the 1970s including: "Freddie's Dead" (Curtis Mayfield), "Philadelphia Freedom" (Elton John), and "Back Stabbers" (O'Jays). The latter track was also written by the gifted songwriting and producing team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Gamble and Huff were the architects of the "Philly Sound." MFSB was their house band.

Also included in the CD are covers of lesser known, but still fine tracks like "Cheaper to Keeper" (Johnnie Taylor) and "Smile Happy" (War). Covering songs from a variety of styles including Tin Pan Alley tunes (e.g., "My One and Only Love"), keeps the set varied and interesting.

Not limited to just re-recording material made popular by others, the CD features their biggest hits as well. T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia), a #1 pop and R&B hit from 1974, is best known as the theme from the long-running syndicated television series, "Soul Train." "Sexy," a #2 R&B hit from 1975 is also found on the CD. The latter is one of the best R&B instrumentals from the 1970s that wasn't a theme song.

All of the tracks on the CD are good, many are great. Their cover of "Smile Happy," which closes the set, is a real gem. Rather than just do a copy of War's recording, MFSB gives it the "cinematic soul" treatment. Its nicely textured arrangement and gradual build would work well on a film sountrack. It's simply amazing that pop radio didn't jump all over it.

Whether you are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or Philadelphia, Mississippi, you should definitely give this CD a spin. This is especially true if you like jazz-flavored instrumentals, but have grown weary of the glut of uninspired instrumental versions of pop tunes on the market today. You won't be disappointed.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These is instruments!!, December 29, 2003

By 

LJ (texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Of MFSB: Love Is The Message (Audio CD)

Today's music is like the grammar I displayed in the title, W-R-O-N-G. You could not put this BAND in music today because they don't understand that this is music. That there are real fingers playing pieces of strings and metal. Not a big board with buttons. They are following marks on a paper that are called notes. Not looping a mindless beat. There is a melody and a bridge. Not sound effects in its place. This is by far the album. If you want to remember when you used to sneak in the basement and play your mom and dad's records this is the album. If you want to relive the times when you wake up on Saturday mornings and watch Fat Albert and then Soul Train this is the album. THIS IS THE ALBUM. Go ahead and give your children a real music memory.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love is still the message, May 17, 2004

By 

Cynthia D. Fayson (Brooklyn, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Of MFSB: Love Is The Message (Audio CD)

I have read most of the reviews and they all focus on TSOP (Soul Train Sound Track). Have you all forgotten Love is the Message. This is the ultimate dance record, what else is there to hustle to. No matter when or where I hear this song it invokes memories of happy times when I was about 11-12, 15-16, 20-38. This song unlike so many others has stood the test of time. The break when the song goes from a mellow jazz composition to a "this is my part!!" get up and dance beat that is unforgettable. While I agree that TSOP may have gotten more air play because of soul train, I truly believe more people recognize MFSB for their Love is the Message theme.