The Stylistics – Round 2

Album Revolution #2:

Along with that MASTER Producer, "Thom Bell", "The Stylistics" ("Airrion Love", "Herb Murrell", "James Dunn", "James Smith" and "Russell Thompkins, Jr.") BUSTED on the seen with their "Self Titled" album, and MADE the World fall in love with them!!!!!! Classics like, "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)", "Betcha By Golly, Wow", "You Are Everything" and "People Make The World Go Round", was etched into EVERYONE'S minds, and you could hear these ts played EVERYWHERE!!!!!!

Fast forward, "Thom Bell" and "The Stylistics" go back together in the Studio, to see if they could take things MUCH FUTHER.....

The result? "Round 2".....

Again, EVERYTHING was put into this album!!!!! "Those Thom Bell Productions", along with the talents of the group, made this ANOTHER enjoyable listen!!!!! Yes, it is an Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel album!!!!!

The album starts again slow with "I'm Stone In Love With You" (even though "The Stylistics" could do that!!!!)....Written by "Bell", "Linda Creed" and "Thom's" Brother, "Anthony", this smooth t (once again) has "Russell's" Vocals gliding on another "Thom Bell Production" Melody....Even though it seemed like the groups Background Vocals are distant at times, that seems to be the allure of the song.....

"If You Don't Watch Out" is another nice "Bell-Creed" Mid-Tempo Groove....It's one of those ts that sounds GREAT, when you are lounging on a Sunday afternoon.....

"You And Me" though....

This is the ABSOLUTE BOMB!!!!!! This is another "Bell-Creed" Groove that could not be DENIED!!!!! This Keyboard Drivin' track brings about my "Isaac D. Body Sways"!!!!! I always LOVED this song, but to be honest with you, I REALLY started digging it more when I heard it sampled on "DJ Clue's", "The Professional" album ("Gangsta S***, featuring "Ja Rule" and the ONE and ONLY "Jay-Z").....Even though I don't listen to that t anymore, the ORIGINAL is CONSTANLY PLAYED in my house or car!!!!! In fact, when me and my Family go on car trips, and this MASTERPIECE comes on, IT'S ALL OVER!!!!! The WHOLE car is ROCKIN'!!!!!!! Only gripe, WAYYYY TOOO SHORT!!!!!!

The "Carole King", "Toni Stern" Classic, "It's Too Late" , once again, gets another OUTSTANDING makeover!!!!!! I love that it starts off completely different than all the other versions, with the "Fender Rhodes" and "Vibraphone" Vibration, then it goes into "THAT Thom Bell Production" Groove....Again, we have ""Russell's" Vocals giving this t MUCH weight, while the Background Vocals is that perfect system!!!!!!

Then "It's Too Late" goes straight into the next "Bell-Creed" Composition, "Children Of The Night"....While "Too Late" fades, you have the sound of Children playing, then the "Fender Rhodes" just ushers in a 7 minute MASTERPIECE!!!!! Again, just like "People Make The World Go Round", this is beyond just a Song, it's an EXPERIENCE!!!!! "Russell" again, LAYS it OUT with his Vocals, while his fellow "Stylistics" gives the PERFECT ....In fact, having the fellas say "Naw, Naw, Naw, Naw, Naw, Naw, Naw, Naw", along with the Driving Guitar Vibe, until the end is PRICELESS!!!! It may sound simple, but let's be HONEST here, it could only happen with a "Thom Bell Production"!!!!!!!!

The groups take on the "Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach and Hal David" Classic, "You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)", is RIGHTEOUS!!!!!! I have to it, when I was a Kid, I was not a fan....But, again, as you grow older, your perspectives changes...Plus, we are talking about a "Thom Bell Production", so there you go.....

"Break Up To Make Up" is another MASTERPIECE!!!!! "Philly Soul Producing Extraordinaire", "Kenny Gamble" comes aboard, to help "Thom" and "Linda" craft this FANTASTIC t for the group...."Linda's" Lyrics on this one though, OMG!!!!! She has "Russell" really spelling out a JACKED UP relationship!!!!! My FAVORITE line: "When I Come Home From Working, You're On The Phone, Talking About How Bad I Treat Ya, Now Tell Me I'm Wrong"....That's just a WOW!!!!!!!

The next two ts "Peek-A-Boo" ("Gregory Guess") and "You're As Right As Rain" are TERIFFIC fill ins (NOT FILLERS)....I only call them that because, in my opinion, they are not in the class of the other songs...The good thing is, that you still don't want to skip them!!!!!

Then there's "Pieces"!!!!!!!!

This ABSOLUTE BOMB is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE on this album!!!! There is nothing I could really tell you what REALLY makes this t so special to ME!!!! In fact I have a feeling if I tried I would not stop Writing!!!!! I think it's just the Mood of the song that brings my "Isaac D. Body Sways"!!!!! Ever since I was a Kid, I would repeat the song at least 5 to 7 times!!!! Yes, I FEEL IT THAT MUCH!!!! In fact, I make sure to try not to do that when my Family is in the car with me....They LOVE the song as well, and I just don't want to RUIN it for them!!!!!

Well, there you have it!!!! Another MASTERFUL album, Produced by "Mr. Thom Bell"!!!!! It's amazing, this continued the success for "The Stylistics"....I'm not sure, but I believe that the group didn't see how FAST the success for them would come...It gave the group the outlet to perform all over the Country, and BEYOND!!!! The World would continue to fall in LOVE with the group, making their album sells VERY profitable!!!!!

I also saw "TallahasseeVinyl's" comment on the bottom, and I agree, because unfortunately my album cover doesn't have the Black Arms either....I also read the response, and to be honest with you, I am NOT surprised!!!!!

But, be that as it may, this album was a PURE Triumph!!!!! Making both Producer and Group SUPERSTARS!!!!!!!!

I cannot seem to find any information online but wondering why they removed the fists from the cover?