CASTLE MUSIC

Back to Castle Music Review Menu - reviewed

The Moments – Love on a two way Street – The All Platinum Anthology

Released on 27 May 2003

"When 'Love On A Two Way Street’ topped the US Soul charts for five weeks in 1970, it confirmed what sweet soul specialists had already known for two years: the Moments were the equal of any vocal combo in America. R&B veteran Sylvia Robinson masterminded their rise to fame on the Stang label, from where this superb double-CD has been assembled. It features all their hits, including their 1975 No. 1 'Look At Me (I’m In Love)’, and their classic collaboration with the Whatnauts, 'Girls"

Roughly covering the period from 1968 to 1978, and this is as chilled and laid back as you could expect. Sweet Soul at it's very best. This album meanders through their output for that period, you will here the hits, theo ones you remember and the ones you don't and probably some undiscovered item that will hit you right between the eyes.

Mostly intense Love ballads like Love on a two way street with gorgeous falsetto. The early stuff was all produced by Sylvia Robinson but using Sammy Lowe, Bert Keyes and George Kerr. Post 1972 the group got more involved and the studio was enhanced so the dound is fresher and cleaner. Billy Brown's falsetto is particularly good on I'm so lost and Lovely way she loves, two killer early cuts.

There are some lovely ballads like To you with love and Thanks a lot, "gotta find away" is particularly wonderful, and several mid tempo cuts like My thing.

The album includes all the hits that they had in the period including Sho Nuff Boogie" with Sylvia and "Girls" with the Whatnauts, and some London recorded cuts like Dolly My Love and Jack in the Box, which are out and out pop.

'Look at me ' was a number 1 R'n'B and is pure class. 'Nine times' is a bit of an oddity in that it is upbeat and gets good plays on the UK Northern Soul Circuit. 'It don't rain in my backyard' is also the kind of tune that would do well in the crossover rooms, wonderful tune and one of my favourites.

The album also includes some radio ads and finishes with some alternate takes, and unreleased sessions. Initially with these we go into uptempo territory 'Just to spend some time', 'Gonna kep you busy' and 'Sleep won't come', but it's not long before we get back onto familiar ballad territory.

.