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Whispers - Planets of Life - The Soul Clock Recordings

I have always considered that I have pretty wide taste within the sphere of black music and I hope the contents of this site bear that out. When pushed however I would probably state that spine tingling heart wrenching, spine tingling female soul would be top of the tree BUT you've gotta go so to beat the Male vocal group right back from the doo wop era - Temptations, Impressions and so on. It's also great to see some quality albums out right now - they'll never be mainstream but are top quality soul - the likes of the Temptatoins, Main Ingredient O'Jays Lost Generation.

So when you hear an album from the Whispers a) it takes you back to the hey day and b) reminds you that the Whispers were and are right up amongst them. Consequently if that's where you're at this album is where you'll wanna be. There's hardly a dud track ranging from slow and deep ballads to uptempo dancers, but most of all vocal soulful interplay overrides all.

I actually thought some of these cuts were earlier (not being a vinyl anorak) and was a bit surprised to see they are all from 1969/70.

We have the bouncy 'You must be doing all right' with an upfront lead over a prominent but easy chorus. 'Seems like I gotta do wrong' is a tremendous ballad that actually went top 10 R'n'B. Most evident on this and indeed most cuts is the distinctive lead of Walter Scott.

The first 10 tracks on here are from the 'Planets of Life' album, followed by 10 bonus tracks. The title track is 70's sweet soul at it's best and must pre date much that is regarded as the best of that sub genre. ' A singer of songs' is also a very good sweet ballad.

'I can remember' has that uptempo feel so popular in the clubs in the UK, though I can't remember it being played but no doubt it has been. 'Needle in a haystack' is a personal favourite of mine and one which strangely I have been playing quite a bit myself lately. This is the slow to midtempo but danceable beat that I find irresistible.

Of the bonus tracks I like the doowop-esque 'Great Day' and 'The time will come', both evoking charms of an earlier era. 'Flying High' is another 'dancer' which deserves plays. The bonus cuts include the massive 'Northern' anthem - though seldom played these days - 'remember me', and it must've been almost new when it was first played.

Great notes from Ralph, written with obvious passion for this.

An excellent album that will always get plays from me.