Search - Main Ingredient :: Afrodisiac (Reis)

Something 'Bout Love...

David Wayne | Santee, CA United States | 08/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Main Ingredient was a very rare find among groups that came along during the late sixties. They wrote and produced their own songs, thanks to the leadership of Don McPherson, the group's original lead singer. Following McPherson's untimely death, the remaining members of the group, Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons, had to somehow regroup. They are from Harlem, and they reached back into the old neighborhood to tab a replacement: Cuba Gooding. The new lineup continued to produce itself, and Bert DeCoteaux and Rene Hall continued to work on the arrangements. Replacing a songwriter as prolific and talented as McPherson was a little much to ask, so the group turned to outside writers. The first result for the new team was an out-the-box smash: the "Bittersweet" album (1972), with its gold single, "Everybody Plays The Fool." It was the kind of song that gives a group credibility and respectability, hitting #2 R&B and #3 pop. Further pop success would come in 1974 with the album "Euphrates River" and its runaway smash single, "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely." But between those two lps came this 1973 effort, which is easily the best loved of all the group's albums. This one was not about record sales. It was about setting a mood for romantic times. It was about celebrating womanhood (especially Black womanhood, as the risque album jacket aptly demonstrated). It was about establishing Cuba Gooding as a fan favorite, who wouldn't need hits, in order to sell records. This disc was definitely something else: It was Something 'Bout Love. A key to this album's popularity was the decision to recognize a great talent, whose star was about to light up the pop heavens: Stevie Wonder. Six of Stevie's songs (out of 10) were featured on "Afrodisiac." When you listen to the maturity of the sound; the lushness of the arrangements, and the flawlessness of the group's harmonies, it's hard to believe this is only the second album for the new lineup. Smokey Robinson named a whole genre with his landmark "Quiet Storm" album of 1975. This album pre-dates that one by two years, and one can make a strong case that "Afrodisiac" was the first album in the Quiet Storm style. As so aptly put in the liner notes, "The best thing that could ever happen to a love song, is to have it sung by The Main Ingredient." After the "Euphrates River" album, the group was hurt by lineup changes and changing consumer tastes. Tony left to try his hand at producing ("Supernatural Thing" for Ben E. King), and later formed a group he called "The New Ingredient." Cuba left to pursue an unfruitful solo career at Motown. But the three crooners re-formed and re-signed to RCA in 1980, recording two beautiful but poor-selling albums. Cuba and Tony also recorded as a duo in 1989. Today, Cuba continues to light up stages with a flamboyant stage show, which features two pretty-much anonymous background singers, who still go by a legendary name: The Main Ingredient."

Something Lovely

Michael Curtis | US | 05/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1973 outing by Cuba Gooding, "Tony" Sylvester, and Luther Simmons Jr. is one of the best releases from the Main Ingredient and considered by many fans to be a tribute to Stevie Wonder. Arranger Bert deCoteaux wraps their tight harmonies around 5 of the CDs 10 songs covering Wonder penned tunes including "Superwoman", "Girl Blue", "Something 'Bout Love", "I Am Yours", and "Something Lovely".Cuba's lead vocals gracefully interweaving with DeCoteaux's string arrangements provides a full course meal of "quiet storm" masterpieces. The only songs which contribute uptempo rhythms is a tasteful cover of the Isley Brothers "Work To Do" and "You Can Call Me Rover."If a fan/collector of the sultry vocals offered during the 70s, this CD edition will also having you agree that it's something lovely."

It's like living back in "the day".

Ron Harris (rharris001@sprintmail.c | 03/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been hunting high and low for AFRODISIAC on CD or even as an album, with no success. I was more than impressed and pleased to find it on Amazon.com. Grab your high heel sneakers, gaberdines and put that blue light back in the basement! This CD brings back memories that anyone from that era will treasure. Truly a jewel."