The Stylistics - Closer Than Close (1981) - TSOP LP - Rare Soul (FLAC 259MB)

This album contains some uptempo club classics not usually their style......Without a doubt one of the greatest groups in soul music history who hailed from philadelpha (we cant seem to escape philly recently!). Masters of Harmonies and Ballad perfectionists. In 1966, “The Stylistics” was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by combining local high school rivel singing groups, "The Percussions" and "The Monarchs". When members from each of the groups answered the then United States draft call and higher education endeavors after graduation, the remaining members under the guidance of English teacher, Beverly Hamilton joined forces and officially created the name “The Stylistics". At their peak, the Stylistics were perhaps the most consistent hitmakers in Soul Music.  They had the best producer in the business in Thom Bell, some of the most infectious material of the early 70s and perhaps the smoothest falsetto lead vocalist in Russell Thompkins, Jr.  After working locally a few years in Pennsylvania’s tri-state vicinity, the group was approached by Bill Perry, a local record company executive. Bill approached the group and asked if they would be interested in making a studio recording, and with no hesitation, they jumped at his offer. Finally, the group’s ultimate dream had come true. It is now 1970, and “You're a Big Girl Now", penned by the group’s then guitarist Robert “Doc” Douglas and Road Manager, Marty Bryant has taken place at “Virtue”, a local recording studio in Philly. “The Stylistics” were finally on the road to their much-deserved legendary success. The initial recording sessions cost Bill Perry a little over $500 to produce, which soon after resulted a record release in their hometown. Fortunately, before they knew it, the tune was picked-up in the tri-state area becoming a #1 hit in Philly, and several other cities up and down the east coast. Bill’s next target was to promote the record nationally. However, he did not have the proper resources needed to make it happen, so he contacted “Avco Records,” and a successful deal was signed. Rumour has it, Bill personally received over $10,000 from this transaction. Nonetheless, the group never received a dime from this contract signing. After the success of the single “You’re A Big Girl Now", Avco very aggressively set their sights on the group’s first album launch. Philly’s veteran hit producer Tom Bell was approached and hired to produce the group's first album simply entitled "The Stylistics". From that album came the birth of the group’s classic showstoppers, "Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart", "You Are Everything" and "Betcha By Golly Wow". To say the least, the success of their first album was phenomenal for that time, including an unheard total of six hit singles. Music industry’s Grammy Award nominations were a reality. With 32 studio albums, 170 x 45,s & countless compilations The stylistics have achieved legendary status. Mainly due to the incredible falsetto voice of Russell Thompkins Jnr, aided by Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell & james Dunn. Now with the group’s talent and success engraved in stone, the ball rolled quickly with the release of their second studio album entitled "Round Two", and now referred to as “the Philly sound with sweet love songs.” Thom Bell left as the group's producer in 1974, and they struggled to issue more hits, even though they were working with such well-known producers as Van McCoy and Hugo & Luigi. The group left Avco Records not long after it was taken over by H&L Records, and in 1978 they switched to Mercury Records, but still couldn't match their earlier successes. Members James Dunn and James Smith left the group in 1980 due to internal conflicts, and lead singer Thompkins left in 2000. Two former members of The Delfonics were brought in as replacements, Eban Brown and Van Fields. Fields left the group in 2011 and was replaced by Jason Sharp (formerly of Heatwave). They never achieved the success of their first 6 albums just having the odd hit here and there and were the victims of a lot of in house fighting. In 1994, The Stylistics were inducted into The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame & were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. I have everything they recorded as essential buying..LEGENDS! 

AMM 

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