Nice, familiar slow jams mingle with obscure ones. It's good to hear "The Touch of You" by Brenda & the Tabulations again -- the soft, romantic ballad was one of their most popular songs, an early sign of greatness from the pen of Van McCoy. The Delfonics' "Can You Remember" is better known in a version by the Jackson 5 -- it was the prettiest ballad on their debut, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. It also appeared on the Delfonics' debut album for Philly Groove Records. Inexplicably, it was never released as a single; it ...
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Nice, familiar slow jams mingle with obscure ones. It's good to hear "The Touch of You" by Brenda & the Tabulations again -- the soft, romantic ballad was one of their most popular songs, an early sign of greatness from the pen of Van McCoy. The Delfonics' "Can You Remember" is better known in a version by the Jackson 5 -- it was the prettiest ballad on their debut, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. It also appeared on the Delfonics' debut album for Philly Groove Records. Inexplicably, it was never released as a single; it's a pretty floater sung in William Hart's unmistakable falsetto. Back in the day, the J5 maintained that the Delfonics were their favorite group, and here they are also represented by the syrupy but majestically executed "Walk Right Up to the Sun." The Dells can be heard on two jams as well; one is credited, one is not. "Stay in My Corner," a song they recorded at least twice, will always be remembered for the long note that Marvin Junior holds; they're uncredited on Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger," but can be heard doo wopping and shoo bopping in the background. The only oddball is Pete Wingfield's "Eighteen with a Bullet," with its scrumptious melody but controversial title and lyrics. Other notables include the Friends of Distinction's poignant "Going in Circles," with that heart-touching falsetto on the fade, and the Stylistics' lilting, lovestruck "Betcha by Golly, Wow." ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi
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