Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes – Reaching For The World

With "Teddy Pendergrass" leaving "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes" for a Solo career (and becoming an outright success), the group was looking to regroup....In doing so, "Harold" started his "Million Dollar Records" Label and took his "Blue Notes" (by leaving "Philadelphia International") to "ABC Records"....

Other changes would happen as well.....

"Bernie Wilson", original "Blue Note" "John Atkins", and "Larry Brown", connected with former member "Lloyd Parks" and "Roddy Jackson", left and formed another version of the "Blue Notes", and released music....

With that "Harold" (with "Jerry Cummings" still at his side), revamped the group and recruited, "David Ebo", who had the hardest task of filling the shoes of "Teddy Pendergrass"...."Sharon Paige" was also along for the ride, even though I don't understand why she wasn't on the album cover....

Now, even with the optimism, "Reaching For The World" was nothing compared to their "P.I.R." albums, but there are bright spots....

The opening "Title Track", shows that "Harold" was the Man in charge (for real), with having the Lead Vocal spot....

Other notables are "Where There's A Will - There's A Way", "After You Love Me, Why Do You Leave Me", and "Stay Together" (which is really the only song that would be Classic "Harold & Blue Notes" being that it was written by "Gene McFadden", "John Whitehead" and "Victor Carstarphen" from "Philadelphia International")....

There was so much promise here, but then there was disappointment...

The main disappointment on here was "Hostage Part 1 & 2"....With that title, you would think it would be a fantastic t, but it wasn't....I will give it to "David Ebo" though....He really tried here, but I personally feel like he tried a little too hard...

This album got some respect back in the days, but it didn't last too long...Unfortunately, harder times would come...You had to give it to "Harold Melvin" though......He was a very determined man, and he wasn't going to be defeated easily!!!!!!!

reaching for the world is insane on a real sound system!

Solid soul record here with top notch production, which is to be expected from this group. Not my favorite of thier albums but not to be left out of your collection. Several slow tunes suited for lovers or the longing of a lover as well as an upbeat disco/funk number or two in here which is to be expected from this era.
The sound of horns, strings and the electric piano vibes are found in abundance.