The Softones & First Class - Together [Expanded & Remastered] (1979/2013)

An unusual split album – and one that features excellent work from two great vocal groups from the east coast scene – both of them working here in a great mix of groovers and laidback mellow cuts! Both The Softones and First Class issued albums on their own – but their cuts here may well be some of their best of the decade – material so great, we wonder why neither were given the chance to expand further in these directions! The Softones have a poise and perfection that's even greater than on their initial recordings – really well-suited to the Philly-styled groovers on the record, and breaking out with some surprisingly great harmonies on the ballads too – titles that include "I Just Had To Dance", "Love Minus One", "Can You Feel It", and "Carla My Love". First Class get one less track, but more than carry their weight on the record – carrying things out with a great depth on the cuts "Laying My Heart On The Line", "Tell Me What You Want", and "Candy". Production and arrangements are by George Kerr, Rod Armstrong, and Marvin Brown – and according to the notes, The Jackson Sisters sing backup on the record too! CD features four bonus tracks too – "Carla My Love (inst)", "Space Cadet", and "I Just Had To Dance (12" version)" by The Softones – and "Don't Listen To Your Friends" by First Class.