The Best Of The Stylistics, Vol 2

Just a year removed from their incredible run of early-70s hits for Philly soul producer Thom Bell, the Stylistics began an association with the H&L (Hugo & Luigi) label that lasted from 1975-1977. While the glory days brought about by smashes like You Are Everything and Betcha By Golly Wow did not return during the H&L stay, the group did have some success with a few British hits. Part of the reason for the drop-off certainly was due to the almost total absence of Bells sophisticated, soul-symphonic arrangements. This is made clear by the inclusion of the one Bell production that opens the disc: a rendition of Bacharach/Davids Youll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) that surpasses most of the remaining tracks on the record. This is not to say there arent other worthwhile cuts here, especially considering the quality of H&L productions like the U.K. chart-toppers Sing Baby Sing and Na-Na Is the Saddest Word, as well as updated Philly-bump charmers like Sixteen Bars and Hey Girl, Come and Get It. Maybe not the groups finest hour, but an essential collection for fans all the same. Incredibly, a comprehensive collection of the Stylistics fruitful output from the 70s has yet to been released. Until that great day, check out both volumes of the bands hits reissued on the Amherst label. ~ Stephen Cook