100 Proof

This is a cleverly done album by the creative hacks at Hot Wax/Invictus Records. Writers/producers Angelo Bond, General Johnson (Chairmen of the Board), Greg Perry, and Ronnie Dunbar share credits in various combinations on six of the LP's eight songs. The other two are "Words" by the Bee Gees and the Association's "Never My Love." Joe Stubbs had left the group by this album, so Steve Mancha (born Clyde Wilson) handles all the leads in his expressive, soul-soaked voice. You don't get much funkier than "Don't Scratch Where It Don't Itch," with its rhyming lyric based around an old saying that means "don't start nothing, and it won't be nothing." The mellow side of 100 Proof comes to fore on "Everything Good Is Bad"; a sweet flute adds some jazzy flavoring to this compelling number that builds in momentum. This is another steaming platter from an underrated act that sold records but never clicked enough with record buyers to gain much of a fan base, probably because Hot Wax never put a picture of the group anywhere on its LPs. (Did the members change that rapidly?) ~ Andrew Hamilton