Customer Reviews

Stylistics-Best Of

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Wow! They sure don't make music like this anymore. The Stylistics were an incredible group, and they released some of the most romantic (and heartbreaking) songs ever recorded. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" is one of those slow jams that can make even the hardest of hearts believe in love, while "You Are Everything" still sounds gorgeous after all these years. My only gripe? "Stop, Look, and Listen to Your Heart" is not on this collection, but that's a small inconvenience when you consider the other brilliant tracks that ARE here. Fans of the old school won't need my recommendation to get this disc, and younger listeners should definitely pick this one up.

"The Best of The Stylistics" is another Philadelphia feather for legendary producer Thom Bell and his songwriting partner, the late Linda Creed. Like DeBergerac to Roxanne in literature, Bell and Creed could have asked for no warmer, more precise voice than Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr. singing some of their (and the 70s') most romantic urban poetry.

Bell's soaring melodies and lush arrangements met Creed's words (and Thompkins' voice) head on. You hear the painful chance meeting that wasn't in "You Are Everything," the synthesized winter chill starting "People Make The World Go Round," the soul daydreaming in "I'm Stone In Love With You," the dramatic, expansive introduction to Airrion Love's gentle first verse on "You Make Me Feel Brand New." None of this was new to fans of romantic harmony music the previous 30 years; in other hands it might well have been considered schmaltzy and too pop. But the Stylistics and their collaborators updated the ingredients to the lives they led, and town (Philadelphia) they lived and worked in. That explains the music's timelessness, even to Prince's tribute cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow."

This collection misses an important hit, "Stop, Look, Listen," and the group needs a career-spanning compilation. Even so, this early "Best of The Stylistics" chronicles more than the best of one classic soul group. It ranks among the best of a time, a city, and a legendary musical team, and is recommended for fans of each.

If the album only contained tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9, it'd be close to perfect. These classics, such as "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Betcha By Golly, Wow," and "You Are Everything," never fail to bring back memories and, quite honestly, give me chills. "Break Up To Make Up" and "I'm Stone in Love With You" are just as good. Unfortunately, the others aren't. If you really want a unforgettable music experience, buy this album, a five disc progrmmable CD changer, and four other favorites such as Smokey Robinson's and the Tempation's "Ultimate Collection" or Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1," and program out the other five forgettable tracks on the Stylistic's album, and you're set.

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.

In the 70's Thom Bell was one of the top Soul producers in the the business and he was at the top of his game when he produced the Stylisitcs. Even though this group didn't enjoy the chart success of the Spinners Bell's other big success, With Russells Tompkins Jr. soaring Falsetto voice Bell manipulated to perfection in songs like You Are Everything, I'm Stone in Love With You, and of course Betcha By Golly Wow. Also included is the gems Heavy Fallin' Out and You're a Big Girl Now. A must for any Soul Music Fan.

The CD was in excellent condition. I also purchased The Best of the Stylistics, Volume 2 and while volume 2 was good, this one is so much better. If you're a Stylistics fan, I encourage you to get this CD.

SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC EVER CREATED! BUT THIS CD IS MISSING ONE BEAUTIFUL SONG! "HURRY UP THIS WAY AGAIN" WOULD MAKE THIS CD COMPLETE!

with performances of the same superior quality. I did not realize how many great songs the Stylistics had recorded until I purchased this CD. It's absolutely awesome. Of course you have all the classic ballads like Betcha By Golly Wow, You Make Me Feel Brand New, You Are Everything, and my all time favorite Break Up to Make Up. Then there's classic mid tempo cuts like Stone in Love With You. Just a smooth all around disc.

Since I was too young too remember the Stylistics at their most popular point I can't say whether or not that this is a definitive collection but what I can say with certainty is that you can't go wrong with this disc.

For over 30 years, the Stylistics have been one of my favorite groups.Mention their name to someone, and they ask.."What did they sing". When you start singing a few bars of their hits, they immediately recognize the group. Although they seemed to not enjoy the notariety of the Temptations, and Four Tops, this group was, and still is Superb. This CD is loaded with their biggest hits. The popularity of the songs spans generations. Our teens play the Stylistics songs as often as we do. If you've seen the public television show "70's Soul" you realize that this is and always will be one of the major groups in the history of soul music. This CD is a must-have, and will NOT disappoint you!

It was first released on vinyl on the old Avco label way back in 1975. "The Best of the Stylistics" offers up 10 of the biggest and best hit recordings from this important 1970's soul group. Yes, you will find all of the groups Top Ten hits including "Betcha By Golly, Wow", "You Are Everything" and the groups biggest smash of all "You Make Me Feel Brand New" from the spring of 1974. Add to that great hits like "Break Up To Make Up", "I'm Stone In Love With You" and the snappy "Heavy Fallin' Out" and you certainly have the makings of a fine collection. Yet, there are obvious flaws with "The Best of the Stylistics" that really need to be addressed.
First and foremost, in this day and age a mere 10 tunes is woefully inadequate. Fans of the Stylistics will tell you that there are at least a half dozen important recordings missing from this collection. Any decent Stylistics collection would have to include songs like "You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)", "Star On A TV Show", "Thank You Baby" and one of my personal favorites "Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)" from 1975. In addition, this disc offers nothing in the way of liner notes which for a collector like myself is a huge drawback. In 2005, Amherst records released the 2 disc set "The Very Best of The Stylistics...and More" featuring a total of 38 songs. I would have to agree with another reviewer that this is a bit of overkill and is probably more music than I really want or need. And there still does exist a single CD "Best of the Stylistics Volume 2" but this is another disc I that simply can not get all that enthused about.
The bottom line is that it is high time that the record company released an updated 16 or 17 track single disc collection of this important 1970's group. I would hope that such an offering would include liner notes, chart information and some photos. In the meantime, "The Best of the Stylistics" is still probably your best bet. The vocal stylings of lead singer Russell Tompkins Jr. and the rest of the group have stood the test of time. The Stylistics are certainly a group that deserves better than this.