The Softones - The Very Best of the Softones +Album Reviews

Superb but sadly underrated.

Justo Roteta | Los Angeles, California United States | 10/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Based on the power and sheer beauty of these songs it's difficult to understand why The Softones' recordings never matched the popularity of those of The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The Dramatics or The Dells. This group's singers were just as good as those of the above-mentioned groups and this fine CD is an excellent compilation of their best songs. No "Sweet Soul" fan should be without this CD."

Personal Experience

Bob Johnson | Houston, TX United States | 03/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As one of the songwriter's of "I Played the Fool" and "Sweet Dreamer," I can tell you from personal experience that the Softones are a very talented and great group of guys. Working with them at H&L Records was a pleasure. These songs only represent the tip-of-the-iceberg of their talent, and, believe me, I know. I think you'll find this CD very enjoyable.
Bob Johnson"

The dynamic Softones

Gilbert H. Richards | 07/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being a Balimore boy I particularly remember the early Softones' hits like Silly Billy, My Dream and I'm Gonna Prove It. They were untouchable. You can stand those songs against any of the '70s soul groups--Delfonics, Blue Magic , Dramatics, the Moments and the like.

Marvin Brown's falsetto is the most dynamic voice I heard prior to Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire. And they are still performing , sounding just as great.

I gave it four stars instead of five because of the disco and show tunes. But understand--the body of work is what counts. Then the bonus live cut came "You Go Your Way" and I shouted "Now that's the Softones I remember."

Surely, to say the Softones were underrated was an understatement.

And like everyone else noted, "Carla My Love" would have been icing on the cake!"

"Collecting all the albums...? Problematic...! CD? Very Go

William Blackshear | West Orange, NJ USA | 03/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This "Best of" cd release, taken from 3 of the group's albums, the debut AVCO label release (cover of the cd is from that album cover), and subsequent H&L release. There were 2 more vinyl albums released and a couple more cd releases (the cds do not contain their original 70s recordings). The version of "Carla, My Love" on the cd, is not the highly sought after original performed by the group. As has been previously stated, there is much good music on this cd, so I will not expand on that. When the question(s) arise as to the reasons the group did not attain greater recognition and commercial success, in the writer's opinion, I have a big question? Based on the talent of the group, their style, such a quality lead tenor, why didn't the group end up being produced by the premier architects at that time of "East Coast Soul", who were succesfully producing groups of this type..... the powers at Philadelphia International Records, or the likes of Thom Bell (Delfonics, Stylistics, Spinners, amongst others), Norman Harris, Vince Montana, etc., etc., etc., "The Philly Sound"? The importance of label and who produces a group is HUGE! The heart & soul of this group was East Coast sweet soul. For a group with this kind of talent, how not Philly, and the aforementioned legends??? As to why not? The writer doesn't know. This group, placed in the hands of Thom Bell, or Gamble & Huff, what could have been! Regarding the original version of "Carla, My Love", so requested by those who had the pleasure of listening to it? The issue is label. The record is on the almost impossible to find, latter 70s album "The Softones & First Class - Together", on Parkway International Records. It was a small, obscure label (the writer is not aware of any other releases on the label), not on the labels this cd was culled from. The album was produced by none other than George Kerr, the same who took the recording equipment into Rahway State Prison to record the Escorts 1st album "3 Down 4 To Go", and their 2nd lp "All We Need Is Another Chance". Sweet soul record collectors years ago gobbled up any copies they could lay their hands on, long gone! It is a "Shelf #1" racked album in one's record collection, +$100.00 when it does show on the market. A non-authorized reissue cd of the album was in Japan in the early 90s. The original song is on a non-authorized sweet soul compilation cd, "floating" around. Perhaps the Parkway International studio tape is still in a possession, if so, perhaps in the future a deal may be cut to reissue the album, to the delight of those who do not possess."

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