Mystique

The lone release from Mystique, featuring '70s-era Impressions lead singer Ralph Johnson, was reissued by U.K. label Sequel Records in spring 2000 with added unreleased bonus tracks. Originally issued on Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label distributed by Warner Bros. in the summer of 1977, it was recorded in both Chicago and Philadelphia. The tracks that received the most attention were done by Philly soul producer Bunny Sigler and his backup band Instant Funk. The first single, the energetic "What Would the World Be Without Music" was a disco hit. The LP's only charting single was the steppers favorite "Is It Really You," written by T. Life. The Chicago sides were produced through Jerry Butler's Fountain Productions, Gene McDaniels, and by Lowrell Simon and Rich Tufo. The bass-heavy "If You're In Need", written by Grey and Hanks ("You Fooled Me, "Dancin'") was a club favorite. Of the unreleased tracks, the standouts are "It Took a Woman Like You" (actually charted R&B in 1977), 'Why Don't You Move in With Me" -- sounds like the Spinners, circa Thom Bell -- "Spoiled Like a Baby," and the ballad "You're the Best." ~ Ed Hogan|