The O'Jays: Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell (vocals).
Additional personnel: Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli, Norman Harris (guitar); Bunny Sigler (guitar, piano); Don Renaldo (strings, horns); Leon Huff (piano); Leonard Pakula (organ); Vince Montana (vibraphone); Ronnie Baker (bass); Larry Washington (percussion); Earl Young (drums).
Producers: Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler, Kenneth Gamble.
Compilation producer: Leo Sacks.
Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Includes liner notes by Robert Palmer.
This is part of the Legacy Rhythm And Soul series.
The once monolithic Motown Sound had begun to fragment in the early '70s, and into the breach came Philadelphia International, the label run by genius producers/songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their stable of artists basically ruled the radio and the nation's dance floors in the middle of the decade, and the O'Jays were probably their classiest act.
This greatest hits album is a brilliant distillation of the group's best work of the period. It's also a fascinating time capsule look back at an era when socially conscious music ("Survival," the ominous sounding "For the Love of Money") could co-exist with poppy appeals to the feet ("Livin' for the Weekend," "Time to Get Down").
