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O'Jays (Bell pressing)

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This is the second version of an album that was first pressed under the title Back On Top – repackaged here with a slicker cover during the early 70s, to cash in on the fame that the O'Jays were having at Phily International. Although the group's Philly recordings are always touted as some of their best work, we love this early material produced by George Kerr – with a sound that's very similar to classic New Jersey groups like The Moments and The Whatnauts (and which also features a few songs that were covered by those groups, too). The band have heavenly harmonies that are more fragile than on their tightly-sewn Gamble/Huff work, with some elements of the deeper soul that was on some of their earlier recordings. For some reason, the album links together the tracks with a fake "audience" sound, as if it's a live album – which it really isn't. We can forgive the producers at Bell for that, though – because the tracks are so great! Includes the single "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow", plus "I'm So Glad I Found You", "Look Over Your Shoulder", "Going Going Gone", and "I Dig Your Act". (Cover has a cut corner, small peeled spots, and tape residue on the opening.)  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.