Average Customer Review: ( 77 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 54 found the following review helpful:
 Strokes of brilliance. Jan 30, 2002
By The Groove
Wow! They sure don't make music like this anymore. The Stylistics were an incredible group, and they released some of the most romantic (and heartbreaking) songs ever recorded. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" is one of those slow jams that can make even the hardest of hearts believe in love, while "You Are Everything" still sounds gorgeous after all these years. My only gripe? "Stop, Look, and Listen to Your Heart" is not on this collection, but that's a small inconvenience when you consider the other brilliant tracks that ARE here. Fans of the old school won't need my recommendation to get this disc, and younger listeners should definitely pick this one up.
24 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Stylistics Best of A Philly Feather For Group, Songwriter Oct 04, 2000
By Anthony G Pizza
"trivialtony"
"The Best of The Stylistics" is another Philadelphia feather for legendary producer Thom Bell and his songwriting partner, the late Linda Creed. Like DeBergerac to Roxanne in literature, Bell and Creed could have asked for no warmer, more precise voice than Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr. singing some of their (and the 70s') most romantic urban poetry.Bell's soaring melodies and lush arrangements met Creed's words (and Thompkins' voice) head on. You hear the painful chance meeting that wasn't in "You Are Everything," the synthesized winter chill starting "People Make The World Go Round," the soul daydreaming in "I'm Stone In Love With You," the dramatic, expansive introduction to Airrion Love's gentle first verse on "You Make Me Feel Brand New." None of this was new to fans of romantic harmony music the previous 30 years; in other hands it might well have been considered schmaltzy and too pop. But the Stylistics and their collaborators updated the ingredients to the lives they led, and town (Philadelphia) they lived and worked in. That explains the music's timelessness, even to Prince's tribute cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow." This collection misses an important hit, "Stop, Look, Listen," and the group needs a career-spanning compilation. Even so, this early "Best of The Stylistics" chronicles more than the best of one classic soul group. It ranks among the best of a time, a city, and a legendary musical team, and is recommended for fans of each.
15 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Some awesome tracks, but the others disapoint... Dec 29, 1998
If the album only contained tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9, it'd be close to perfect. These classics, such as "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Betcha By Golly, Wow," and "You Are Everything," never fail to bring back memories and, quite honestly, give me chills. "Break Up To Make Up" and "I'm Stone in Love With You" are just as good. Unfortunately, the others aren't. If you really want a unforgettable music experience, buy this album, a five disc progrmmable CD changer, and four other favorites such as Smokey Robinson's and the Tempation's "Ultimate Collection" or Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1," and program out the other five forgettable tracks on the Stylistic's album, and you're set.
9 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Quality Never Goes Out Of Style Apr 30, 2006
By El Lagarto
Certain soul groups are so smooth and beautiful to the ear that they reach way inside to a pleasure center that doesn't get tickled any other way. The Delfoncis come to mind, and so do the Stylistics. Both groups came from Philly, and both were backed by producer Thom Bell who relied on lyrics from Linda Creed. Both featured soaring falsettos, in the case of the Stylistics it was Russell Thompkins who led the way. While ultimately the Stylistics did not have the staying power the Delphonics would enjoy, their highs were just as high and they left us with some pop standards that will never go out of style.
As long as there is romance, there will be reason enough to put on the Stylistics, and this CD delivers the "must-have" cuts in one neat package. Their anthem, People Make The World Go Round, sounds as fresh, sweet, and relevant today as when it was released. Betcha By Golly, Wow says what every lover wants to say and every lover wants to hear. Break Up To Make Up is bittersweet stuff, stinging with truth. You Are Everything is another ballad of crystalline beauty, as is Let's Put It All Together. Even the second-best songs on this disc were big hits in their day; this is a highly select offering. Everybody likes to rock out and everybody likes to Wang Chung, but if there's a part of you that resonates with the gentle vulnerability of love offered up like a flower, you will find that this music wraps you like a warm coat in winter and a welcome breeze in summer. Betcha by golly, wow, you're the one that I've been waiting for.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
70's Soul as it Should Be Aug 31, 2006
By Martin S. Ertz
"Detroit Boy"
In the 70's Thom Bell was one of the top Soul producers in the the business and he was at the top of his game when he produced the Stylisitcs. Even though this group didn't enjoy the chart success of the Spinners Bell's other big success, With Russells Tompkins Jr. soaring Falsetto voice Bell manipulated to perfection in songs like You Are Everything, I'm Stone in Love With You, and of course Betcha By Golly Wow. Also included is the gems Heavy Fallin' Out and You're a Big Girl Now. A must for any Soul Music Fan.
See all 77 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 77 reviews
