Four albums from this wonderful group – all presented here with great sonic quality too! First up is Grazin – the debut album from
Friends Of Distinction – a very groovy LA harmony vocal group who really transcended the worlds
of pop and soul! The quartet were originally part
of the earlier Rex Middleton's Hi Fi group – which split into both
Friends Of Distinction, and 5th Dimension – and like that other, slightly more famous group, FoD have a soaring approach that really reflects their years in music, tuned towards a groovier late 60s style! The record sports their hit vocal version
of Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass", with the great "I can dig it" line, plus an excellent reading
of a lost cut by funky drummer Roy Porter, entitled "Lonesome Mood" – next to other great titles that include "Sweet Young Thing Like You", "Peaceful", "Baby I Could Be So Good At Loving You", "Eli's Coming", and "Going In Circles". Real
Friends is a stone early winner from The
Friends Of Distinction – featuring a great set
of pop soul tunes that really let the group shine in the harmony department! Vocal arrangements are by Jerry Peters – who really pushes the structure
of the vocals, taking the singing to a level only hinted at on the group's previous album, combining 60s pop harmony with uptown soul production, given a bit
of a smooth 70s touch. Titles include the hit "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely", plus "Any Way You Want Me", "Crazy Mary", "Long Time Comin My Way", "Just a Little Lovin", "It Don't Matter to Me", and "My Mind Is A Camera". Next is Highly Distinct – beautiful baroque soul from LA! The
Friends of Distinction were always best known for their big hit version
of "Grazing In the Grass" (not on this LP), but they were a pretty progressive soul group, and they spent a lot
of time in the studio coming up with cool new ways to present their vocal style. This album includes a very cool "psyche" cut-up track called "Impressions", and it's two minutes worth
of tape experiments that might have been lifted from The White Album. The cut then runs right into a great batch
of groovy pop soul tracks, like "It's Just A Game Love", "Workin On A Groovy Thing", "It's Sunday", and "Let Yourself Go". Whatever is filled with some nice little groovers from the enigmatic
Friends Of Distinction – and a record recorded right after their big "Grazin In The Grass" fame. The album features lots
of cool arrangements from Jerry Peters – whose handling
of the group pushed them past a simple pop-soul vocal combo into the realm
of the more far-reaching soul acts
of their time. Most tracks have vocal solos on the main parts – mostly by Barbara Love or Floyd Butler – and tracks include "You and I", "People Talkin & Sayin Nothin", "Bring Us A Better Day", "Great Day", and "Check It Out".