Although this is filled out with covers of
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin',"
"Yes I'm Ready," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," on the whole it's a solid and varied album of early
Gamble
/
Huff
-styled Philadelphia soul. Even though
and
Huff's
own contributions were peripheral (
Jimmy Bishop
produced,
co-wrote the small hit "I Really Love You," and
played piano), several musicians who would play in
-
's house bands participated. The harmonies are lively, the arrangements (by
Bobby Martin
, who would also work with
) satisfyingly busy, and the material a bit ordinary but serviceable. Philly soul fiends may consider it a lost nugget of sorts; the three non-LP bonus tracks on the CD reissue include a couple of raucous live cuts with a straighter R&B feel. ~ Richie Unterberger