It is a myth that soul was a singles medium. At least half a myth. In the 1960s, it was true. Most Motown albums were not meant to hold together as such. But when Stevie Wonder released Music Of My Mind in early 1972, he proved soul LPs could work as cohesively as any rock LP.

And so it went for Gamble and Huff and Thom Bell, the Philly Sound. Both the O'Jays with Back Stabbers and here, this first Spinners album, are just that: albums. Playing the singles on AM was AM's gain and lack of FM airplay was FMs loss.

The Spinners, the album, does not have a concept like the O'Jays Back Stabbers or Ship Ahoy.  Or does it? If love and passion can be a concept, it is best illustrated on this album

There is the Philly Sound, there is........well, easy there, let's climb one mountain at a time.  The lush horns, strings, vibes, and master vocals are wound into one massive, wonderful silk sheet of sound. I don't have to tell you, just listen. Wagner would be proud

"I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love," "One Of A Kind Love Affair." Anyone born by 1970 or before grew up hearing these on the radio, and do you believe how stupid some of us were? We heard this music next to Daddy Dewdrop's "Chick-A-Boom," or "Have You Ever Been Mellow," by Oliva Newton John, and quickly ran to our King Crimson albums, unable to separate the prime rib from the beef jerky. The best soul from the worst pop. We look at ourselves now. Wagner would NOT approve.

More proof. Yeah, sure. Play part of Coltrane's Love Supreme next to Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey," and run for the hills. The blimp has crashed. But take said 'Trane and then go into "One Of A Kind Love Affair," and it will be the start of a one of a kind love affair--for you. Me too.

Talking jazz,  I almost forgot. There is jazz here, too. Check out the third track, "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" I needn't go into this, but it proves my point. All this wonderful music is wonderful music, some of which happened to be singles. But listen to The Spinners from start to end, like a stranger to this music, and all the richness and craft and variation, and there is a ton, holds together musically and conceptually.

What an  ALBUM
It is a myth that soul was a singles medium. At least half a myth. In the 1960s, it was true. Most Motown albums were not meant to hold together as such. But when Stevie Wonder released Music Of My Mind in early 1972, he proved soul LPs could work as cohesively as any rock LP. And so it went for Gamble and Huff and Thom Bell, the Philly Sound. Both the O'Jays with Back Stabbers and here, this first Spinners album, are just that: albums. Playing the singles on AM was AM's gain and lack of FM airplay was FMs loss. The Spinners, the album, does not have a concept like the O'Jays Back Stabbers or Ship Ahoy. Or does it? If love and passion can be a concept, it is best illustrated on this album

There is the Philly Sound, there is.... .... well, easy there, let's climb one mountain at a time. The lush horns, strings, vibes, and master vocals are wound into one massive, wonderful silk sheet of sound. I don't have to tell you, just listen. Wagner would be proud

"I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love," "One Of A Kind Love Affair. " Anyone born by 1970 or before grew up hearing these on the radio, and do you believe how stupid some of us were? We heard this music next to Daddy Dewdrop's "Chick-A-Boom," or "Have You Ever Been Mellow," by Oliva Newton John, and quickly ran to our King Crimson albums, unable to separate the prime rib from the beef jerky. The best soul from the worst pop. We look at ourselves now. Wagner would NOT approve. More proof. Yeah, sure. Play part of Coltrane's Love Supreme next to Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey," and run for the hills. The blimp has crashed. But take said 'Trane and then go into "One Of A Kind Love Affair," and it will be the start of a one of a kind love affair--for you. Me too. Talking jazz,  I almost forgot. There is jazz here, too. Check out the third track, "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" I needn't go into this, but it proves my point. All this wonderful music is wonderful music, some of which happened to be singles. But listen to The Spinners from start to end, like a stranger to this music, and all the richness and craft and variation, and there is a ton, holds together musically and conceptually. What an  ALBUM