Published on Jul 30, 1999
Deep down in the soul of the 1970s music were The O’Jays. By the
time their 1978 release “So Full Of Love” was released, they
already had a large assortment of hits, and were one of many
popular acts to come out of the Philadelphia International record
company, headed by the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
So Full Of Love is so full of soul. The album starts with
“Sing My Heart Out”. And The O’Jays do just that. “Use Ta Be My
Girl,” a well-known favorite, is ultimately one of the great 70s
soul records.
“Cry Together” has the soft sounding soul feel of such stars as
Lou Rawls, Barry White, and Isaac Hayes. “This Time Baby” is upbeat
soul as in their #1 hit, “Love Train”. “Brandy” is a song that you
can easily tell where other inspired groups captured their sound
from 70s Soul. One act is Daryl Hall & John Oates. “Brandy” can
be compared to H&O’s “Rich Girl”. “Take Me To The Stars” has an
Earth, Wind & Fire funk sound.
“Help (Somebody, Please)”‘s orchestration is incredible. From
the beginning soul bass line, the strings ensemble, to the sweet
harmonies, this song, like others, defines the true slow 70s soul
music sound. And lastly, with a title like “Strokety Stroke,”
without even hearing it, you have to conclude that it has to be a
funky sounding tune. And it is. It has the funk sound, compared to
a funky Earth, Wind & Fire and Rick James.
So Full Of Love should be renamed as
So Full Of Soul. It has all of the components of great soul
music, which is different in sound than what we hear today in black
music. The ultimate sound in black music is from the 1970s. This
album has soft sweet tunes, likewise upbeat and funk ones.
The O’Jays were a group of many that shared that great 70s soul
sound. Somehow I envision seeing Don Cornelius of
Soul Train. It’s the 1970s all over again, watching TV in
the basement of my parents’ home and watching everyone dancing to
the soul funk sound. If it wasn’t
American Bandstand I was watching, it had to be
Soul Train, especially when it comes to the era of soul
music.
Discover what great black music is all about. For us older
folks, this is what defines the shape and sound of soul. In today’s
music, there isn’t any comparison, even though the current trend in
black music today is rap and hip-hop. Nowhere is it compared to
music like The O’Jays. Even though black music has made another
chapter in hip-hop/rap, go back a few chapters, and you’ll find the
greatness of soul. The O’Jays, as well as many other great acts
would be in that chapter.
In all due respect, this kind of music is much, much better than
any hip-hop/rap act you would hear today. Most radio stations would
have no trouble playing a tune by The O’Jays. In today’s music, you
have to specifically find that special radio station that showcases
hip-hop and rap. The 70s soul music can be found anywhere, as
compared to special places you would find hip-hop and rap. Case
closed.