A 2018 television segment on
the O'Jays
regarding their 60 years together -- and their plan to stop the following year -- was seen by
Sam Hollander
, co-writer of multi-platinum hits for
One Direction
,
Fitz & the Tantrums
, and
Panic! At the Disco
. No mention of an upcoming LP was made. This prompted
Hollander
to contact the group's manager, which led to him -- along with
Steve Greenberg
Michael Mangini
, and soul great
Betty Wright
-- co-producing the legends' first proper album since 2004 and final statement. Founding members
Eddie Levert
and
Walter Williams
and early-'90s addition
Eric Grant
are given material that diligently emulates
' '70s peak with
Kenny Gamble
Leon Huff
and other
Philadelphia International
studio teams, such as
Gene McFadden
John Whitehead
. It's an impossible task; however, with the exception of a couple specific later singles, this is the best and most comfortable
have sounded since the '70s. The romantic and nostalgic numbers all have a similar combination of grit, conviction, and finesse, capped off by stirring vocal arrangements. There's a high-grade message song, "Stand Up (Show Love)," while "Above the Law" is a fiery protest resembling
Norman Whitfield
's
Temptations
productions ("Ball of Confusion") as much as the urgent moments from the second side of
Back Stabbers
. The finishing touch is an update of the 1967 single "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)." Accompanied only by
Angelo Moore
on piano and the floating background voices of
Williams
Grant
Levert
revisits the lead in wiser, more powerful form. ~ Andy Kellman