Customer Reviews

Boogie Fever: Best of

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a sentimental weakness for this group, as they made an impact upon my teenage soul, back in the early through mid 1970's. I play their music, look in the mirror and see what I was, what life was, and life to me was sound. The only reason why I won't give this collection 5 stars is simple. Where's the song "Keep on, Keeping on"? You can't find it anywhere. I can't be the only one waiting on the "Showcase" LP to be released to CD (hopefully re-mastered!). My favorite tunes on this collection are the following:

1. Through the love in my heart (Nice mid paced song!)
2. Fools Paradise (70's pop song with a message)
3. Wish that I could talk to you baby! (Nice pop ballad!)
4. Misdemeanor (Foster's hit - Need I say more!)

If you can get it at a good price, I say, buy it!

While no cds currently exist of an actual Sylvers album (such as "Something Special" from 1976), this Cd is good as it contains the Sylvers tunes that people loved, but cannot find on most such compliations. Namely "Fools Paradise." the lovely 1973 summer hit "Misdemeanor" (credited to brother Foster, hiphop fans will recognize this as the sample for the DOC's "Getting Funky"), and one of their last hits, the wonderful chant "Don't Stop-Get Off", one of those seventies tunes known onkly to us who were there at the time. Most Sylvers cds contain the familiar stuff like "Hot Line, "Boogie Fever," and "Cotton Candy," etc. but this has what is usually left out. Get it while you can!

Of all the Sylvers compilations released over the last 15 years, this one is definately the best. All but one of the family's chart hits are included in this package (the exception being "Come Back Lover, Come Back" which climbed the Disco Chart back in 1981).

From "Fool's Paradise," their first chart hit in 1972 to "Falling For Your Love," their final chart single in 1985, you won't find a more comprehensive set of Sylvers tunes on CD.

The 'big' hits are included: "Wish I Could Talk To You," "Boogie Fever," "Hot Line," and "Don't Stop, Get Off."

As well as lesser known gems: "Stay Away From Me," "New Horizon," "In One Love and Out the Other."

And solo singles from Foster ("Misdemeanor") and Edmund ("That Burning Love").

Yet I still hope to see a more inclusive "essentials" collection from the family at some point in the future. One that would include most of the titles on this CD AND superb tracks that aren't.

Classic tracks like "Never Be the Same Again," "Keep On Keepin' On (Doin' What You Do)," "Mista Guitar Man," "Swept For You Baby," "Forever Yours," "Mahagony," and "Come Back Lover, Come Back" deserve to be showcased on a Sylvers best of package.

But in the mean time, this CD gives you a good solid Sylvers fix.

This has to be in my opinion the most comprehensive compilation of the many great songs performed by the Sylvers. The Sylvers was one of my favorite gorups and sometimes I thought better than the Jackson Five only because of their tight harmony and great choreography. The Sylvers also had the ability to do deeper R&B/funk songs, but their manager insisted on marketing them to the younger teeny bopper group which eventually worked towards their demise. Based on this compilation their music can be broken down into the following:
R & B: "Through The Love In My Heart" (#50 US R&B), "Fools Paradise" (#94 US and #14 US R&B) featured Charmaine, Edmund and Ricky as lead singers; "Wish That I Could Talk To You" (#77 US and #10 US R&B) featuring Leon and Ricky on lead is considered a classic by many R&B fans; "Stay Away From Me" (US #89 and #33 US R&B) came out in 1973 and had a nice upbeat tempo with creative instrumentals; "New Horizon" (#45 US R&B) signified a major change in the group and was a terrific song with excellent harmony, despite the fact that is was a commercial disappointment; "Falling For Your Love" is one of my favorite ballards and was their last chart success at #76 US R&B.

Disco/Dance: "Boogie Fever" (#1 US and R&B)was a big hit in 1975 which was when Foster, Pat, and Angie joined their older brothers and sisters and signed an exclusive contract with Capital records; "Hot Line" (#5 US and #3 US R&B) was catchy and when they performed it live you got to see their great choreography; "Any Way You Want Me" a moderate paced danceable tune, charted #72 US and #12 US R&B; "Don't Stop, Get Off" (#15 US R&B) was my least favorite, but I remember it being very popular at the clubs and discos; "That Burning Love" is a great dance tune; "In One Love and Out the Other charted #42 US R&B in 1984.

Teen Pop: "Misdemeanor" written by Leon for Foster and featured Pat and Angie was a great song although it failed to chart; "Hey Little Girl" was cute and marketed to the younger audience; "Cotton Candy"another cute "bubble gum" type song charted #59 US and #19 US R&B...not bad for "bubble gum"....and interestingly this is when the group began playing their own instruments for certain live performances (Ricky on guitar, James on Piano, Edmund on drums and Leon on bass guitar; "High School Dance" in 1976 charted #17 US and #6 US R&B and with it's upbeat happy sound was a favorite for many.

These songs are all great and the variety is what makes this 16 track compilation so special!! The Sylvers were recently on "Unsung" and if you are a fan of theirs it would be well worth checking out. My only complaint, which is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5, is that the cd does not come with liners notes or cover, if you want that you will have to pay anywhere from $64.00 to over $100, so if you can deal with no liners notes for all of this great music, this being one of the finest compilations, I would go for it. For those who decide to purchase the CD with no liner notes I tried to provide you with as much info. as possible. Enjoy.

the Sylvers were that Family Group that was somewhere between the Jackson five and Debarge. and just like those Groups they had a Soulful vibe about them that was felt and this compilation captures all of there many hits. this is by far the best overall compilation that has all of there hits. all of the jams and other cuts are on this set. the rich soulful harmonys and the tight Production that also captures there vocals are all here.

Brought back a lot of memories for me from the 70s. I didn't remember some of the songs but the ones I did recognize brought back memories of high school. Thank you, I will add this to my music collection.

Was present for my wife, "Misdemeanor" is our favorite cut (for being the disco era). Didn't think the price was right for music but it averages out. I give the album a 2-1/2 stars.

This is the best compilation of The Sylvers music available today. Mainly because it also includes their songs before 'Boogie Fever' and 'New Horizons'. Most other compilations only focus on their disco era. It also includes Edmund's solo hit 'That Burning Love', something else that the other compilations don't have. I definitely recommend this.