The Spinners legendary Thom Bell recordings all collated in one place by Cherry Red Records.
Released: Available Now
Label: Cherry Red Records / SoulMusic Records
Format: 7CD Box
This collection is one of the most in depth and complete collections that Cherry Red has released. Over 7CDs, there are 8 albums from the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Spinners. Included are all the original Atlantic studio albums produced by the legendary Thom Bell.
Across 92 tracks, it is clear to see just how good The Spinners were. Naturally, being from Philadelphia, the personnel across the eight albums include the likes of the original MFSB including Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, The Trammps’ Earl Young, Bobby Eli, and The Sweethearts of Sigma. With Thom Bell at the helm, it is hard to resist the magic.
THE SPINNERS (1973)
With many of the band’s albums being universally lauded, many songs are already firmly in the public conscious. The opening trio of songs from their self titled 1973 album set the scene beautifully. Just Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind and Just You & Me Baby are sumptuous slices of soul. Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You hits up the big band/jazz/swing vibe. Its tale of struggle still rings true. We Belong Together has a harder guitar melody in it’s opening but the song grows into another wonderful song.
To top off the expansion of the debut album, there are a collection of recordings not produced by Thom Bell but included for historical significance as they were The Spinners’ first recordings for Atlantic. Also of note are the Tom Moulton mixes of Could It Be I’m Falling In Love and One OF A Kind (Love Affair) are predictably glorious and superbly stretched out by the legendary man.
MIGHTY LOVE (1974)
Since I Been Gone opens the record with extended strings and a grittier bass line. The talent that Thom Bell had in making The Spinners sound completely lush, whilst also holding a strong edge is the mark of a genius. The title track of this collection is included here and offers a perfect life lesson in its message.
The hits are here in the form of I’m Coming Home and the albums title track. Included here are the single edits of the songs that actually hit the charts. Whilst many of the cuts across the seven discs are ballads, Love Don’t Love Nobody is a seven minute plus slow jam absolutely rammed with heart, soul, harmonies and melody. It is a wild trip of tenderness and fragility that contains a heartfelt spoken word section that one would describe as a rap. Couple this with incredible singing and you have a truly brilliant concoction.
NEW & IMPROVED (1974)
Two albums in a year was not unheard of in 1974. It was the norm for a lot of bands. With their star shining brightly, it made sense for the band to capitalise.
New & Improved opens again with some luxurious strings. New and improved? Definitely. The Spinners sound like a completely widescreen band here. Sitting On Top Of The World is a brilliant opener; the funky guitar licks in the mix give a different dimension. The string melodies mirroring the sung melodies is a well used trope but such is the skill of everyone here, it works like a dream.
On their second effort of ’74, The Spinners had a collaboration with the great Dionne Warwick in the can in the form of Then Came You. It is an upbeat track that contains the edge of the 1970s but has a hint of those late 60s Tamla Motown hit singles. Other highlights include the snappy I’ve Got To Make It On My Own and Sadie (which was also released as a single), dedicated to mothers and the importance of them; “sweeter than cotton candy, stronger than papa’s old brandy!” I’m sure many can relate. Again, it is completely beautiful.
PICK OF THE LITTER (1975)
Pick Of The Litter is another fine serving. The formula is very similar, but it is no less exquisite. Dionne Warwick’s B-Side with The Spinners aforementioned single, Then Came You, is included as a bonus track. Single edits of They Can’t Just Stop It (The Games People Play) and Love Or Leave make up the bonus material here. Love Or Leave is a punchy number and works brilliantly in amongst the slower numbers. There is absolutely no compromise in quality in The Spinners output and again, the production of Thom Bell brings every note to life.
Michael Ochs Archive / Getty Images
HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS (1976)
An album title that sums up feelings evoked by The Spinners. Happiness Is Being With The Spinners contains contains one of the bands funkiest and most well known joints; The Rubberband Man. The bassline rolls on high throughout with a sound that imagines a rubber band being strummed. There is a vocal hook in the chorus that is as infectious as any of The Spinners’ songs. Written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, Philippé Wynne’s vocals really shine. It is no surprise that he went on to record with George Clinton and Funkadelic on their massive (Not Just) Knee Deep single. He has a distinctive voice that really fits this style of music.
Whilst The Rubberband Man is the standout here, there are plenty of wonderfully constructed songs that are full of sentiment and conscious. You’re All I Need In Life and Wake Up Susan hit the spot whilst Toni My Love veers back into schmaltzy jazz territory. Included as an extra is an edit of The Rubberband Man.
YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW (1977)
The Spinners were at a bit of a crossroads when it came to Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. Thom Bell was still at the helm, however Philippé Wynne would depart the band and John Edwards would take up lead vocal duties.
I Must Be Living For A Broken Heart is a standout with some brilliant vocal harmonies and vocals moving between deep and high in their register. There are plenty of colours in the palette as the song builds. Honey, I’m In Love With You strays back into more funky territory and Just To Be With You is another lengthy and ruminating slow jam. It’s single edit is also included here.
SPINNERS/8 (1977)
With Wynne pursuing a solo career, 8 saw John Edwards in as full time vocalist. I’m Gonna Getcha is a catchy number to open up with. There is a little call back to The Stylistics Betcha by Golly, Wow in the lyrics; another smash produced by the master, Bell.
Painted Magic is an upbeat track that incorporates a little of the disco music that was seeping into the mainstream at the time. Single edits of Heaven On Earth (So Fine) and Easy Come, Easy Go augment the original album here.
FROM HERE TO ETERNALLY (1979)
From Here To Eternally again uses the sound of disco on its title track. Don’t Let The Man Get You fills up an opening duo of tracks that are both higher in tempo and nice and bright. Another notable piece here is Are You Ready For Love? This is a song that Elton John went on to release as a single to great success.
If You Wanna Do a Dance (All Night) proved a departure for The Spinners as they fully embraced the disco sound. Such was the dancefloor appeal, the full 12″ mix is included with the album – all nine minutes of it. It is hard not to feel your body moving to the groove.
THE BOX SET
This deluxe booklet includes a comprehensive essay by The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese drawing on new and previously unpublished quotes from The Spinners’ Henry Fambrough, The Spinners’ road manager Steve Allen, Atlantic Records Artist Relations Director Barbara J. Harris, and the late, great Thom Bell. If you are a fan of soul music and want to plug that Spinners shaped hole, this would be the perfect addition. As ever, Cherry Red have delivered in spades with their release of these fantastic slices of musical history.
The Spinners set is available here. Check out If You Wanna Do A Dance (All Night) below.
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