it doesn't get half the Props it should IMHO.what are everyone's take on that Album&the O'jays on a whole? I enjoy there Music alot.there early days in the late 50's through there Impressive 70's run&some cool 80's Material as well.

Chips Ahoy cookies don't get half the props they deserve either. Especially the chewy ones.

A classic, wish I could find the CD or even LP.

SweeTea said:

it's sold on line&I found a few Copies in a Used Record Store.

My favorite O'Jays album is their 1978 masterpiece 'So Full Of Love'.That's the one that contains their monster hit "Used To Be My Girl".But it also contains gems like the dramatic "Cry Together",the touching "Brandy" and the cool Disco track "This Time Baby" (which was covered a year later by Jackie Moore).By far,this is their strongest,most consistent album.

I think all of the O'Jays 70's albums are essential R&B listening. However, BACKSTABBERS is a stone cold classic. One of the best albums, bar genre, of the last 35 years. Every song on this gem is great. They don't make albums like this anymore. Every song on it could have been released as a single, if you think about it. SHIP AHOY is essential listening too. A lot of deep social messages on this record. Eddie Levert's rugged hard vocals are offset brillantly by Walter Williams softer voice. Great group. And hey... those guys can still put on a show.

I actually like this album more than BACKSTABBERS. The politics and historical passion of the title tune left me speechless and the performance was mindboggling (it was staged for an installment of the FLIP WILSON SHOW). This also has the oft-sampled and quoted classic "For The Love Of Money" and there are tons of gospelish vocal references on teh otehr tracks.

Songlist
1. Put Your Hands Together (Gamble/Huff) - 4:06
2. Ship Ahoy (Gamble/Huff) - 9:39
3. This Air I Breathe - 3:52
4. You Got Your Hooks in Me - 5:34
5. For the Love of Money - 7:19
6. Now That We Found Love - 4:41
7. Don't Call Me Brother - 8:57
8. People Keep Tellin' Me - 3:54

I truly disagree that it does not get props: Old School R&B at its best. I like to run this back-to-back with the studio followup SURVIVAL

Since we're talking about Philly soul...

Yesterday,I pulled out my Harold Melvin and The BlueNotes CD "Wake Up Everybody"(1975).That album is a CLASSIC!! Every song on there is excellent...soul music at it's finest.Teddy Pendergrass was the lead singer,and there are some nice female vocals by the underrated Sharon Paige.I especially love the songs...

***"Wake Up Everybody"---This is one of Gamble & Huff's most effective "message songs".It's never preachy or corny,it's straight to the point.Nice arrangement too.

***"You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good"---OH LAWD,this is one of the sexiest slow jams of all-time!! How come we've never discussed this song before??!! Teddy and Sharon tear this one up!!

***"Searchin For A Love"---Sharon handles the lead vocals on this closing song.It's a haunting little song about the endless search for that "special someone".

DavidEye said:

I dug Black and Blue and To Be True (duets w/SP start here) a lot more. Once TP started doing duets, you knew he'd be solo ASAP. Still WU,E is a classic of Philly Soul.

I reckon that, its a great album. just the silly line "ship ahoy" and the chorus sometimes turn me off...