The O'Jays – Survival

Album Revolution #4:

It's funny, when I was a kid, and my Mom and Stepfather bought this album and I saw the album cover, it scared me to death!!!! Then they put it on the turntable and I forgot all about it.....

Once again "Gamble & Huff" and "The O'Jays", put their great talents to use to belt out another Classic Social Conscious Record in "Survival".....

As usual, I feel like the "Title Track", and 1st Crown Jewel, should have started the album (you Guys know how I am)....The way this joint outlined how hard it can be for many folks just to "Survive" in this system is just spot on!!!!

"Give The People What They Want" (2nd Crown Jewel) got the job of starting the album off though, and to me that proves my point...If you have this powerful point of view right after "Survival", it would fall right in place, album wise that is....

The 3rd Crown Jewel, "Rich Get Richer", really tells us how bad it could be with money and greed (and we constantly see examples of that!!!!!) ....

Of course they had to have those powerful Slow Jams....

"Let Me Make Love To You", the 4th Crown Jewel, once again showcases "Eddie LeVert's" very powerful Vocals....

The real wonderful surprise is "Where Did We Go Wrong" (5th Crown Jewel), where this time "Walter Williams" gets to use his super crooning skills....After this serious Slow Jam, "Gamble & Huff" got smart and made sure that "Walter" would be showcased from then on from this point....

It took almost 50 years (yes people, I am up there!!!!), but I really started to appreciate the 6th Crown Jewel in "How Time Flies"....I love how the Music changes, as well how the group's Intertwined Vocals were displayed (we even got to hear "William Powell" solo a bit on this one)....

The last two songs, "What Am I Waiting For" and "Never Break Us Up", are not bad, but to me, they just don't measure up to the other songs...

Just like "Back Stabbers" and "Ship Ahoy", "Survival" is another "O'Jays" classic that never got old!!!!!!!

P.S.: It jumped to #4 because I forgot to redo "The O'Jays In London" album...So I had to renumber the Album Revolution...Please forgive me...

The O'Jays had a lot to live up to by 1975. The winning success and artistry of their two previous landmarks, 1972's Back Stabbers and 1973's Ship Ahoy ushered the vocal trio into orbit. A propulsive mix of hard-hitting funk, jazz, and R&B that defined the Philly soul sound raged through the land, touching the minds, souls, and feet of many. Largely overlooked in the O'Jays great '70s canon, Survival is very much in the vein of what made the Philadelphia International imprint a staple in the 1970s. Its gifted demigods, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff wrapped smooth, effortless melodies, tasteful orchestrations, and tight-knit arrangements (courtesy of Philly soul house band, MFSB) around the group's dynamic three-part harmonies. The penchant for social commentary on the wicked ennui and weariness of the post-Watergate nightmare kicks into high gear, but they could also deliver dramatic silky soul ballads that showcased different shades of Black romance. A true Philly soul classic.

I've yet to come across any album from Philadelphia International's golden era that didn't sound spectacular. This 1975 pressing sounds rich and full on a great stereo system and its striking cover art can only be fully appreciated in all its glory on the vinyl format. The 2000 Epic Records/Legacy Recordings CD remaster is superb as well, thanks to Joseph M. Palmaccio's great mastering work.

The up tempo jams on here are not my favorite, I prefer the slow jams. Luckily that’s more than half the LP. “Let Me Make Love to You”, “Where Did We Go Wrong” and ”How Time Flies” are all strong.

My personal favorite track on this album is ”What Am I Waiting For”. Great back then and also a great backbone 30 years later when it was flipped by Disco D for the 50 Cent track ”Ski-Mask Way”, one of the best joints in his extensive repertoire.