Survival [Original recording remastered]

O'Jays | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004THL9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #418,883 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Finally available at a lower price. Previously an exclusive to the Japanese market. This is their 1975 album featuring, 'Give The People What They Want' which was a number 1 R & B hit at the time. 8 tracks in all. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing, November 22, 2004

By 

Timothy R. Sullivan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Survival (Audio CD)

These guys are amazing and back in the 1970's there were few -- if any better -- groups in the world.

This album is stunning. I just picked it up, lapsing into the bad habit of buying greatest hits packages for years, I somehow left this off my O'Jays list -- and I'm a HUGE O'Jays fan (just saw them in concert a couple months ago).

Yes, the blockbuster hits are here, the title track, the amazing socially conscious "Give the People What They Want" and "Let Me Make Love to You."

But what really carries this epic album are the non-hits -- and this is why you should not limit yourself to greatest hits packages.

"Where Did We Go Wrong," Rich Get Richer," "How Time Flies," "What Am I Waiting For," and the sensational "Never Break Us Up" close out the album.

None of these songs were hits and they easily could be. For most groups, these songs would be the pinnacle of their careers. For The O'Jays it's just more brilliant work.

The production -- by legends Gamble and Huff -- is of course flawless and better than anything produced today, by far. The orchestration by MFSB is off the charts.

This album is a mind blower ... incredible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic '70s soul, April 11, 2003

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Survival (Audio CD)

"Survival" is one of three great albums Philadelphia's O'Jays presented during the first of the 1970s, the other two being "Backstabbers" and "Ship Ahoy." For my money, "Survival" is the best of the bunch, a compelling blend of straight-ahead soul and r&b spiced with a strong dash of social commentary.

The title tune provides a great example of the latter. A driving funk approach provides the perfect platform for the group to deliver its gritty vocals, which effectively convey the sense of desperation inside a man "busted, walkin' around broke."

"Rich Get Richer" also provides sentiments the man in the street could relate to -- and still can. One of the best things the O'Jays do throughout the album is tell real, down-to-earth stories, and this tune rises above a diatribe with these great lines: "There's an old friend of mine/He's doin' good, real good, as a matter of fact/He don't know me now/But I can take him way, way, way back." Great stuff.

Like all the great Philly groups, the O'Jays had a way with a ballad and could put tons of genuine emotion into the simplest lyrics. They weren't afraid of romance, but they didn't lapse into sappiness either: check out the straightforward "Let Me Love to You," or the plaintive "What Am I Waiting For," both of which combine well-crafted production with completely convincing and compelling vocals.

One finds a dated element or two in listening to this now 28-year-old album, but these are easily outweighed by the group's pinpoint vocals, flawless arrangements and commitment to a musical concept. Recommended for those who were there and would like to relive it as well as for those coming to it for the first time. The old becomes new again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philly soul at it's peak....., May 10, 2002

By 

ikaris "ikaris" (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Survival (Audio CD)

What took this classic soul album so long to be released is beyond me, but now that it's out there you need to pick it up if you're a true lover of r&b/soul music like I am. This is the O'Jays at the peak of their powers.

The obvious hits are there, like the title track, "Let Me Make Love To You" and "Give The People What They Want." But it only gets better from there. "Where Did We Go Wrong" and "How Time Flies" are top-of-the-line ballads, while "Never Break Us Up" closes out the album in fine style. This is one of the best Philadelphia International albums in history and is a perfect example of the PI sound. Gamble and Huff were on a major roll......

Great sound and nice reproduction of the original album art round out this re-release very nicely.

Now, if only someone will get ahold of the O'Jays Imperial recordings and release their debut album "Comin' Through"........