Rhino Flashback
1974
Mighty Love
About This Album
Riding high off of a Grammy nod as Producer of the Year for his work on the Spinners 1973 eponymous album, Philly soul mastermind Thom Bell infused their next collection Mighty Love (1974) with the similar mix of lushly scored slow jams and stylish mid-tempo R&B entries. Although the group had been around since the mid-'50s, by the time the quintet began their stint on Atlantic Records the lineup featured Henry Fambrough (baritone vocal), Billy Henderson (tenor vocal), Pervis Jackson (bass vocal), Bobbie Smith (tenor vocal) and the then most recent addition in 1971 Philippe Wynne (tenor vocal). Several of Bell's distinct arrangements would not only become instant enthusiast favorites, but crossover hits as well. While chronologically the first cut to make the charts -- as it had been released several weeks before the long-player -- the title track "Mighty Love" was ironically the last on the platter. The luminous and brisk melody is complemented by optimistic leads from Smith and Wynne. The latter turned in a soulful outing comparable to that of Al Green. When featured as a focus track, it was split into two parts with "Mighty Love Pt. 1" vaulting to the top of the R&B survey and up to number 20 as a Pop single.
Track List (try tracks 1,4 and 7)

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