Spinners – Spinners/8

Recently found a sealed copy. If anyone is interested im willing to sell.

Album Revolution #8

In 1977, "The Spinners" (even though they were STILL POPULAR), went through some SERIOUS changes....For 1, their last album, "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow", was the groups first Mid-selling album in YEARS....2, the reason for the medium sells, was the transparency of "Philippe' Wynn" starting his transition of going solo....

Once "Philippe'" left, the group recruited a VERY, VERY TALENTED Singer in "John Edwards"....This "St. Louis, Missouri" born Brother, got his start in Clubs while stationed in "Germany" when in the "US Army"....He also Recorded 2 albums which spawned singles like, "Messing Up A Good Thing" and "The Key To My Life", which was Produced by "Stax Records" famed "David Porter"....

The transition for "John" seemed to be easy, because he was already signed to "Atlantic Records", by way of "Cotillion"....You could also hear him (I believe) singing with the group on "Honey, I'm In Love With You" from "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow"....To be honest, I feel like that was "John's" audition, even though I can't prove it....

So, along with rest of "The Spinners" ("Billy Henderson", "Bobbie Smith", "Henry Fambrough",and "Mr. 12:45, Pervis Jackson"), the group along with "Thom Bell" went into the lab to Produce "Spinners/8"...It was the groups 2nd release in '77, and with "Philippe'" leaving, the group WANTED and NEEDED the fans to get used to "John"....

The album started with "I'm Gonna Getcha"...Written by "Bell & James" ("Livin' It Up, Friday Night"), this Crown Jewel joint has that "Blaxploitation" feel to it...It has "Bobbi" sounding VERY COMFORTABLE on this almost "Isaac Hayes" inspired joint....

"I'm Tired Of Giving" is "Spinner" business as usual....It has "Henry", and "Pervis" helping "John" to settle in...I have a feeling (even though I can't prove it), that "Thom Bell" was a little cautious on how to use "John's" Voice...Hey, it's just a theory.....

"Painted Magic" (again by "Bell" & "James") again has "Bobbi" helping "John" find his feeling with the group...It also has that Classic "Spinner", "Barbara Ingram", "Carla Benson", "Evette Benton" Background....Again though, it seemed like "Thom" was still holding "John" back and not letting him break LOOSE!!!!! He still sounds GREAT though!!!!!

"You Got The Love That I Need" continues the signature "Spinner" sound...."Bobbi" is still playing "Point Guard", but this time it is with "John"....But this time, "Thom" is allowing "John" to show how POWERFUL his Vocals are!!!!! I still feel like "Thom" is being cautious here, but it it STILL a Crown Jewel....

Now, "Heaven On Earth (So Fine)" is honestly THE ULTIMATE BOMB on here!!!!! This Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, has "John" FINALLY sounding like he BELONGED!!!!! The beginning Drum Licks, and Keyboard BUMPS just USHERED in a SMASH!!!! It then goes into that Classic "Thom Bell Production" Swing Time Joint....That also has "Henry" and "Mr. 12:45 Pervis" backing "John" PERFECTLY!!!!!

The 2nd side starts with "Back In The Arms Of Love"....Again, GRACED with "THAT Thom Bell Production", it was another subtle Crown Jewel....Again, "John" was given another shot to show he belonged...IT WORKED!!!! This time it showed that "Thom" was starting to trust "John" a little more....

"(Love Is) One Step Away" is a VERY NICE Piano driving joint, that again, was giving "John" more of a chance....He sounded EVER so SMOOTH with the Classic "Spinner", "Ingram", "Benson", "Benton" Background.....

"Easy Come, Easy Go" (again "Bell & James") continues the "Thom Bell Production" Vibe....This time, it seemed like "Thom" was willing to give "John" a "Philippe' Wynn" type joint....It kind of mirrors "Love Or Leave" or "All That Glitters Ain't Gold" from "Pick Of The Litter"....In MY opinion though, "John" OWNED this Crown Jewel joint!!!!!!!

"Baby I Need Your Love (You're The Only One)" continued the patterned long "Thom Bell Production" joint....Again, "John" was given the reigns, with having his NOW "Spinner" Brothers as SUPPORT!!!!! This Piano/Organ mix joint FITS "John" to the TEE!!!!! It was a MASTERFUL Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, and PERFECT album CLOSER!!!!!!

Well, even though "Spinners/8" was a VERY VERY GOOD album, it seemed to suffer the same fate as "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow", in that, only "The Spinner Faithful" (like Myself) gravitated toward this...I first heard this album at My Grandmothers house, when She lived on "3rd Ave." in "The Bronx"....

I BLAME the "Spinners/8" LACKLUSTER love on 2 factors....1: The Public wasn't used to "John" yet, and 2, neither was "Thom Bell"....With "Thom", even though "Philippe'" gave him the BLUES, he still could not get his Voice out of his head...In fact, just on how he Produced this project, you could hear that "Thom" had a "Philippe'" HANGOVER!!!!

But, the flip side was that "The Spinners" themselves LOVED "John", and HONESTLY, that's what COUNTED....As time goes on though, this would put a strain on the relationship between "The Spinners" and "Thom Bell" (but I will get to that later).....

Be that as it may be though, I feel like "Spinners/8" FITS the "Spinner" catalogue PERFECTLY!!!!!!!