O'Jays Imagination CD

Though they were based in Ohio, the O'Jays were one of the definitive Philly soul bands of the 1970's. Beginning with 1972's stone-cold classic BACKSTABBERS, the group's yearning harmony and Eddie Levert's gruff, gospel-influenced lead vocals meshed perfectly with Gamble & Huff's smooth-but-funky production style to create a sound that spawned scores of imitators. Unlike other older groups that attempt to re-capture a share of the market by jumping onto every new trend that comes along, the O'Jays have largely stuck to their guns, turning out one sweet soul affair after another.

IMAGINATION is no different--the group delivers 11 tracks of prime Philly soul, replete with slinky bass grooves, sweeping strings, and rafter-raising singing. That said, there are a few nods to modern trends--"Repair Man" takes a cue from late-'80s new jack swing, combining humorous lyrics with a touch of synthesizer and a hip-hop-flavored rhythmic base, while "Chauvinistic" combines old-school disco with a bit of Rick James-esque funk-rock. Throughout, the O'Jays' largely self-penned material is both catchy and substantial, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that the group can easily go toe to toe with its younger R&B counterparts.

Like many soul giants of the '70s who continue to perform and record new material, the O'Jays have updated their sound for a more contemporary feel. While Eddie Levert and company's nearly flawless vocal harmonies continue to be the anchor of the group, the clinical production found throughout is in sharp contrast with some of the warmer, most intimate moments of their Philadelphia International years. The songwriting is still among the best of their contemporaries (most notably on the quite creative "Repair Man" and "Chauvinistic") and proves that you can keep up with popular music in a dignified, classy manner without pandering to younger audiences and paying ludicrous amounts of money to have A-list producers remix your tracks. It's not exactly a return to the fold of brilliance that they once had, but it's close and still quite a pleasant-sounding record. Most longtime devotees will enjoy this album from start to finish, and a few younger cats could learn a thing or two from a group of soul veterans who get the job done right nearly every time. [The 2007 Music World edition includes bonus tracks.] ~ Rob Theakston

Recording information: Earpaint Studio, Bratenahl, OH; Flyte Tyme West, The Village Recorders, Los Angeles, CA; Grinder Studios, Hollywood, CA; Ocean Way Studio, Hollywood, CA; Palace Studios, Cleveland, OH; Sound on Sound, New York, NY.

Arranger: Dennis Williams.

Personnel: Eddie LeVert, Gerald LeVert, Eric Nolan Grant (vocals, background vocals); Randy Bowland, Eric Walls (guitar); Troy Taylor (keyboards, programming, drum programming, background vocals); Dennis Williams, Jimmy Jam, James "Big Jim" Wright , Niles McKinney (keyboards); Gordon Chambers, Spanky Williams (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Eddie LeVert; Matt Marrin; Craig Bauer; Jason Goldstein; Dennis Williams; Pete Tokar; Ivan "St. Ives" Walker.