Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes* – Black & Blue

Album Revolution #2: This is my third time reviewing this album!!!! I can't help it guys, I always find more to say everytime...So, with "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes" finally being established artists (thanks to their association with 'Kenny Gamble" and "Leon Huff"), they were in high demand to perform everywhere!!!! "Teddy Pendergrass" being primary Lead Singer (even though "Harold" was the Chief) also was a MAIN reason in their success...So with the "Harold", "Teddy", along with "Bernard Wilson", "Lawrence Brown" and "Lloyd Parks", the group released "Black and Blue".....With that being said, "Harold Melvin" and his faithful "Blue Notes", with "Gamble & Huff" made a bonifide classic here!!!!! Their first album together was all slow, even though it was powerful.....With this one, they built on to that power, letting the one and only "Teddy Pendergrass" to do whatever he wanted vocally.....There are no weak moments of this album, in fact it is a total Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel....It starts off kinda weird though with their version of the "Kander And Ebb" classic, "Cabaret"....Arranged by "Philadelphia International" house band "MFSB" member, "Lenny Pakula", it is a short Swingtime Jazzy joint....I don't think there was any rhyme or reason for this.....I believe "Gamble & Huff" were having fun with the group, but at the same time wanted to display the groups Vocals on a different level...I also believe (even though I can't prove it), that everyone got such a kick out of it, that it was decided to be kept on the album....It worked!!!!! The outright classic, "The Love I Lost", is a straight up joint....It was also their first dance joint, and believe me, people got down on this one!!!! It has "Teddy" in his natual element, taking this song to the outer limits, and massive heights, with the classic background by the group saying, "I Lost It...Sorry I Lost It"...Priceless!!!!! "It All Depends On You", is musically Dramatic....It is one of those classic, Social Conscience songs, this one about how we could make certain things in our life happen...Again, the group sounds flawless together...I believe it has "Harold" starting it off, then he passes it to "Teddy" to bring it on home (as usual)...."Concentrate On Me", is a very nice joint, tailor made for the group....One of my absolute favorites is "Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back)".....The Beat, along with the Melody, is just perfect in having "Teddy" bragging about being a great lover....Now, if I how to pick a favorite song on here, it's "Is There A Place For Me".....The drama on this one alone is like WOW!!!!!! It is 7 minutes of "Teddy" really puting himself in the song....Also, again, the Music is fantastic, with the ending being put over the top by Fuzz Tone Guitar!!!!! This is the kind of stuff that today's music is missing!!!!! "I'm Weak For You" is another perfect Slow Jam, with again, having "Harold" bringing up the Musical Court, only to pass it off again to "Teddy" to once again, to bring it home....The last song in, "I'm Comin' Home Tomorrow", is the perfect album closer, having "Teddy" just paint the perfect picture of "Coming Home" to his love one....I have to say this, even if people might think that I am crazy...Even with "Teddy" being the obvious Vocal point of the group, you can still feel the perfect blend that "Harold & The Blue Notes" had Vocally togther....I wanted to see if I saw any flaws in the sequencing of the album, but it had no sequencing problems what-so-ever (believe me, I tried in my mind)!!!!!!! This really put the group into the Stratosphere!!!! The only problem is, some time down the line, with "Teddy" being the GUY of the group, it would cause problems...But, at least right here, these song just blended so perfect together, making this album the classic it deserves to be!!!!!!!

Ken Gamble and Leon Huff are major soul and funk producers...They also penned the major Blue Note hit "The Love I Lost" and helped create the PHILLY Sound...This Columbia album from '73 is basically their act...Good harmonies and a soulful feel made this group a winner for years and years...Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass and the rest of the guys add a heaping scoop of real emotion to "Black and Blue " that makes this a mighty fine listen...