Seventies soul classics
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two very different groups called the Spinners were formed in the fifties - an American R+B group and a British folk group. Neither group disputed the other's use of the name as has sometimes happened in other cases. When the need arose, the American group became identified in Britain by adding a prefix. Originally known in Britain as the Motown Spinners, they became the Detroit Spinners after leaving Motown for Atlantic. To avoid confusing myself and other Brits, I'll call them the (Detroit) Spinners. When I review music by the folk group, I'll call them the (British) Spinners to avoid confusing my American friends.
Despite being formed in the fifties and signing to Motown in the early sixties, the (Detroit) Spinners struggled to make an impact although they eventually had a British and American top twenty hit with It's a shame (written by Stevie Wonder). Their Motown music, including that track, is available elsewhere (and definitely worth a listen). This compilation focuses on their commercially successful years after they left Motown.
During their time with Atlantic, the (Detroit) Spinners had three different lead singers, these being Bobby Smith, Philip Wynne and John Edwards. In the early eighties, further line-up changes took their toll and the group faded into obscurity. Before that happened, they left a legacy of wonderful soul music.
Their classic hits include I'll be around (which provided them with a great start to their Atlantic career in America), Could it be I'm falling in love (which consolidated their American success and came close to giving them a UK top ten hit), Ghetto child (another huge American success and their first UK top ten hit), Then came you (with Dionne Warwick - an American number one hit but only a minor UK hit), The rubber band man (which returned them to the UK top twenty), Working my way back to you / Forgive me girl (the first part of this medley is a cover of a Four Seasons song - the single gave them a UK number one hit and an American number two hit) and Cupid / I've loved you for a long time (a British and American top ten hit that marked the end of their glory years in both countries).
If you enjoy seventies soul music, the (Detroit) Spinners are definitely worth a listen. This compilation includes all their essential Atlantic hits. If you enjoy it as much as I think you will, you may also like to investigate their Motown recordings."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1