Yet most of their hit collection begin in that year, why? OK, they had their first big hit in '72 with "Back Stabbers" but they had other charting singles before then. Hell, even if you just keep it solely Philadelphia International with Gamble and Huff, they had had charting singles in 1969. Bu they never include those tracks on O'Jays collections.

I think their needs to be an O'JAYS boxset. They've been releasing music since 1960 and their first charting single in 1963 with "Lonley Drifter."

In the mid-90s,there was some talk about a multi-disc Ojays box set but it never materialized If it ever gets released,I'll be first in line to buy it.

they were with a label called "Neptune" which was the pre cursor to PI

IAintTheOne said:

and I have one of the albums they recorded on that label.I think it's from 1968?

SoulAlive said:

with "Lipstick traces"??

IAintTheOne said:

That's the one!! It also includes their version of "One Night Affair" which was later covered by someone else in the early 70s.

There is one O'Jays compilation that I know of that has some of their early hits.



I believe this compilation encompasses the work pre-Gamble and Huff.

Tracklist:
1. One Night Affair 2:35
2. You're The Best Thing Since Candy 3:02
3. Branded Bad 2:59
4. Losing My Touch 2:21
5. I Should Be Your Lover
6. Deeper (In Love With You)
7. Let Me In Your World 2:41
8. I Can't Get Enough 2:13
9. I've Got The Groove 2:23
10. There's Someone Waiting (Back Home) 2:33
11. It's Too Strong

I believe that most of these were regional hits. I know "One Night Affair" was a pretty big hit.

Last year, I heard an interview with Walter and Eddie on XM and they discussed the early years. They talked about working with Gamble and Huff as well as their work prior to that time.

As for a boxed set, I wouldn't hold my breath (especially on the material prior to the PIR stuff. It's no telling who owns those masters. You might see a boxed set that covers their PIR stuff in the near future...especially since Sony and PIR inked a distribution deal (to distribute the older material as well as the late 70s and early 80s stuff).

speaking of box sets,I wish there was another Gamble and Huff box set.I have the 3-CD box set that came out in the 90s,but that one is incomplete.It ends in 1976! Some of the best Philadelphia International hits came out in the late 70s.

SoulAlive said:

You just might get that pretty soon. Especially since PIR and Sony inked a new distribution deal. They are going to start issuing previously unreleased projects (I think the new Live cd from Patti Labelle is one of the first). They recently issued a compilation cd of rare/lost songs from the label. The O'Jays (and their other core artists) are not included, but it's not half-bad.



1. Hard Workin' Man Pat & The Blenders
2. Conquer The World Together David Sigler;Dee Dee Sharp
3. Grasshopper Soul Devalents
4. It's So Wonderful Johnny Williams
5. Makin' Up Time (Pts. 1 & 2) Frankie & The Spindles
6. Theme For Five Fingers Of Death Bunny Sigler
7. Good And Plenty Carolyn Crawford
8. Darling Come Back Home Love Committee
9. Yellow Sunshine Yellow Sunshine
10. Ghetto Woman (Pts. 1 & 2) Ruth McFadden
11. Everybody Needs Good Lovin' (Pts. 1 & 2) Bunny Sigler
12. Days Go By Bobby Bennett
13. The Big Hurt People'S Choice
14. Love Is Here (Single Version) Futures 4:57
15. Ruby's Surprise Party Ruby & The Party Gang
16. Stop Taking My Love (Album Version) The Mellow Moods

I want that compilation!!!