By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 09:55 pm:

OK ALL!!!...BY POPULAR DEMAND...WHO IS THE *GREATEST* (MALE) SOUL VOCAL GROUP OF ALL TIME???...STUBASS

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 09:59 pm:

MY FIRST!!!...TEMPTATIONS...HANDS DOWN...BUT I'M SURE THAT I'LL GET SOME FLACK FROM EVERY DIRECTION!!!...
RUNNERS UP!!!
IMPRESSIONS...
FOUR TOPS...
SPINNERS...
O'JAYS...
STYLISTICS...
INTRUDERS...
CHI-LITES...
WHISPERS...
EARTH...WIND...AND FIRE...
I'M SURE I'VE LEFT OUT SOME GOOD ONES...AND WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS..AND LET ME KNOW WHO I'VE FORGOTTEN!!!...MY PICKS ARE NOT JUST BASED ON ONE BIG SONG...BUT A STRING OF SUCCESS THAT LASTED FOR MANY YEARS WITH CONSISTANTLY GOOD MATERIAL!!!...STUBASS

By Brandi1978 (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:02 pm:

The Temptations(Number 1 of course)
Four Tops
Isley Brothers
Spinners
Ojay's
Dramatics
The Dells

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:07 pm:

Hey STUBASS - you copy cat. You chose the Tempts 'cause you wanted to at least agree w/me 'bout something. LOL!

In no particular order: (Other than the Temptin' Temptations being the # 1 Greatest Sweet Soul Singing Group of all times on this here planet Earth"

Impressions
Spinners
O'Jays
Isley Brothers
Delfonics
Dramatics
Stylistics
Whispers
Commodores


And some 'moe.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:09 pm:

DELFONICS...GREAT GROUP SB!!!...AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I FORGOT THE COMMODORES AND THE DELLS!!!...STU

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:20 pm:

STUBASS - how did I forget the "Dells & the Four Tops (And especially the Tops) & Chi-lites & EW&F?" And I used to love the Originals - which the Tempts should have been named. Well - maybe not - 'cause they weren't - 'cause it wasn't meant to be. I am slapping my hand as I type. LOL!

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

OOPS!!!...CAN'T MAKE A LIST LIKE THIS WITHOU "THE DRIFTERS" MAKING SOME TYPE OF APPEARANCE!!!...STUBASS

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

The Tempts are #1, followed closely by the Tops
with honorable mention given to The Drifters(any incarnation thereof) The Ojays and the Spinners(with Phillipe)

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:39 pm:

DO I DETECT A TEMPTATION'S "LANDSLIDE" DEVELOPING HERE???...LOOK'S LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS PLAYING FOR # 2!!!...STUBASS

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:43 pm:

STUBASS - may haps the "Well Willeth Runneth Dryeth Sooneht Than Lateeth." LOL!

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:44 pm:

Oops - I meant "Sooneth."

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:52 pm:

SB!!!...HOW ABOUT "MORE SOONEREST"!!!...STU

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

Hey Eli. Btw - I loved that song you wrote - "Love Won't Let Me Wait." Say what? You wrote that smash hit? You go boy. That was a truly sweet and nice song. Kudos to you.

Who wrote that "Me & Mrs Jones?" Was that you too?

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:59 pm:

STUBASS - LOL! All I'm saying Bro - is that this topic is not like the "Greatest Soul Singer = Sam Cooke Thread." Or like my first one posted here - "Pic Fave Slow Song - Late 60s & Early 70s." There are not that many groups out there to consider - IMO. Nowhatimean?

But......let's add Smokey's Miracles & the Mills Brothas.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 11:14 pm:

TWO MORE GREATS...ALTHOUGH THE "MILLS BROTHERS" I REALLY DON'T CONSIDER A "SOUL GROUP"(THEY REALLY DIDN'T SING WHAT WE REFER TO AS "SOUL MUSIC")...IN THAT THEY'RE MOST POPULAR RECORDINGS WERE DONE BEFORE THE "SOUL MUSIC" ERA!!!...AS FOR THE OTIS REDDING THREAD???...STUBASS

By SB (206.215.11.222) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 11:35 pm:

Now - now - STUBASS. You do try.

Ok - so maybe not the fabulous Mills Brothers - but what about the "Greatest Soul Singer = Sam Cooke's Gospel Group - Which Helped To Lead Him Down The Road & Path Where Glory - Fame & Fortune Lay = the "SOUL STIRRERS?" Now if that group didn't sing from their - Soul - Heart - Mind - Body - Spirit - Guts (& did I say SOUL) - then I just don't know who did. And - as I type this "Jesus Gave Me Water", is playing on my computer. Ohhh - sweet - sweetback.

Nite. I'll rap to you on 7-16-03. Have a goodun.

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 11:46 pm:

WELL NOW SB!!!...GOSPEL IS A HUGE CATAGORY...BUT UNTIL YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH A *RECORDING* OF THE TEMPTATIONS SINGING "AMAZING GRACE"...I AIN'T BUYING THE "SOUL STIRRERS" ON THIS THREAD!!!...STU

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 12:26 am:

I'D EVEN SETTLE FOR A TEMPTATIONS COVER OF "HAVA NAGILA"!!!...STU(OY VEY)BASS

By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 02:03 am:

I'll be the only dissenter here (so far) and say the Four Tops are #1.
The reason I don't pick the Temptations is because with them, it's almost like picking the best Baseball team ever. You can say the Yankees, but of what year? The 1927 Yankees with Ruth & Gehrig? The 1961 Yanks with Mantle & Maris? The 1998 Yankees with Jeter & Tino?
So it is with the Tempts. The Ruffin Tempts? The Edwards Tempts? The Woodson Tempts? Or today's Tempts?
The organization, or better yet, the history, may have been the greatest, but for sheer longevity and sticktoitiveness, I'll go with the Tops.

umm, the Levi & Lawrence Tops, of course.
LOL

Jim

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.163) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 02:33 am:

I have to agree with Stranger (JIM) the FOUR TOPS with LEVI and Lawrence stand above the rest, with the Temps who I love, it was like a different team every season - but I also love the rest, The Spinners, The O'Jays, The Delfonics, The Dells, The Originals for me they are the pure soul ones, some of the rest listed so far for me are Pop Soul but it does not mean that I do not like them.

John

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 02:48 am:

THANKS STRANGER AND JOHN!!!...I KNEW YOU GUYS WERE OUT THERE!!!... HOPEFULLY...WHAT COULD HAVE TURNED INTO AN OPEN AND SHUT TOPIC...HAS NOW BEEN GIVEN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE...AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FOUR TOPS SENTIMENT!!!...THERE ARE OTHER GREAT GROUPS OUT THERE AS WELL WHO SOME MAY FEEL LEND GREATER SIGNIFICANCE TO THE CREATION...EVOLUTION...AND SUSTAINANCE OF SOUL MUSIC THAN THE GROUPS MENTIONED THUS FAR!!!...STU(LET'S GET IT ON)BASS

By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (65.229.15.212) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 02:49 am:

I would have to say the World's Greatest Vocal Group is The Temptations. (The Entire Legacy)

Other Great "Soul" Groups include the one's they are on tour with.

Four Tops
O'jays
Whispers

The spinners can also be included as one of the Greatest with Phillipe, John or G.C.

Both G.C. Cameron and Theo Peoples are blessed to have sang lead with two (each) of the Greatest vocal groups in history. All of these vocalists are exceptional and above the rest.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 04:33 am:

The *BEST* R&B 'soulful' group that there ever was... were, the *IMPRESSIONS*.
The "GREATEST" R&B 'soul' group there ever was... were, the *TEMPTATIONS*.

Categorically in that order, and without waiver or deviation-- that's how I'm gonna break it down here-- as I am being most emphatic on the very question, on this here thread....

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 07:27 am:

hands down...Tempts, Tops, Ojays, Spinners...and the fact that I'm going to a concert featuring those groups on Saturday, has NOTHING to do with it :o)

By Des (81.152.238.38) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 08:55 am:

I agree with John Barry Sheffield - There is a limited choice on what you would call "true" Male Vocal Groups.
No matter how ya cut it,The Commodores,EW&F,Whispers & Isleys ain't "Vocal Groups"........Like John-B,I like 'em all and,if these types are to be included,you could add :
Maze/Smokey & The Miracles
So are there any "true" ones that haven't been mentioned????
Howabout :
Take 6
The Moments

Des

By Vonnie (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 08:55 am:

I have to agree with the majority that The Temptations are at the top of the list "numero uno". When I was a kid, every boy I knew was singing Temptation songs and practicing their dance steps. Their smooth moves and sensational lyrics captivated all who listened including my older sisters.

Vonnie

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:41 am:

NOT YET MENTIONED!!!...
TAVARES...
LTD...
TOWER OF POWER (BAND OR GROUP???)...
COASTERS...
FANTASTIC FOUR...
DETROIT EMERALDS...
BLUE MAGIC...
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES...
PLATTERS...
LITTLE ANTHONY AND THE IMPERIALS...
MORE???...
STUBASS

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 03:14 pm:

Sorry, Stu...
The Tempts get my vote...
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 03:26 pm:

HEY KEV!!!...THE REAL BATTLE HERE IS FOR # 2!!!...STU

By DetroitDar (198.81.26.170) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 07:01 pm:

T.O.P. should definitely qualify as a great soul "group" and in my humble opinion, should beat out a lot of the others on your lists.

By DetroitDar (198.81.26.170) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 07:28 pm:

PS: T.O.P. will be performing at the Monterey (CA) fair next month!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 07:40 pm:

THE DELLS
ENCHANTMENT
THE OJAYS

Sometimes I feel that Motown groups should not be included in these contests because they are in a category of their own. There is R&B, Soul, etc. and then there is 60's, 70's Motown.

By LUCY (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 08:42 pm:

I WASN'T MISSING THIS ONE!!!!!
SOME OF YOU OUT THERE KNOW ME,SO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY.....

#1 MY BELOVED TOPS
THE TEMPS.
THE OJAYS
THE SPINNERS
EARTH WIND AND FIRE

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 09:09 pm:

THANKS LUCY!!!...UNANIMITY IS JUST NO FUN!!!...STUBASS

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 02:56 am:

ALLRIGHT ALREADY!!!...SO NOW THE QUESTION BECOMES...WHAT MADE THE TEMPTATIONS STAND HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE (AT LEAST ON THIS FORUM)!!!...HAD THE TEMPTATIONS EVOLVED OUT OF CHICAGO...PHILLY...L.A... OR NEW YORK...WOULD THEY HAVE BECOME THE ICONISTIC PHENOMENOM THAT THEY DID???...WERE THEY THE "CHOSEN" MOTOWN GROUP BECAUSE BERRY GORDY WANTED IT THAT WAY...OR BECAUSE...THE LIKE THE CREAM...THEY ROSE TO THE TOP???...AND FINALLY...JUST WHAT DID THE TEMPTATIONS HAVE THAT NONE OF THE OTHER GROUPS HAD...WHICH MADE THEM WHAT THEY ARE???...STUBASS

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 04:19 am:

Hey Stu...so what did the Tempts have that nobody else did you ask???? Well for one...Eddie...David...Melvin...Paul...and Otis!!!!

Ok seriously, I think that they had a charm about them...soulful...classy....when I think of the Tempts, I think of five MEN...with the mentality of real men...no boys here...and that is hard to say about some other groups...especially most of'm out today...but wait that's another thread altogether :o)
And their sense of style??? Woooooo....I have yet to see another male group past or present who even comes close to the Tempts...
But their music...that's the winner for me...beautiful harmony, not overdone, they didn't try to outsing one another...they had some great chemistry together when it came to performing...though unfortunately I didn't make it to this earth in time to ever witness the classic 5, anyone can listen to the Temptations Live CD and tell that they could perform their a*ses off...and although I know it ain't quite the same, I really looking forward to their concert this Saturday @ the Indiana Black Expo, it'll be my first Tempts experience...and I know they won't let me down.
The Tempts were a one of a kind, class act (sniff sniff), and for these reasons and many more, they will always be my favorite male vocal group.

By Urban guru (67.35.40.41) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 11:09 am:

Let the walls of the church sayAMEN! The tall,tan,talented,and terrific Temptin' Ts are the best of all time.

By jimmy mack (62.200.126.2) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 11:13 am:

temps
four tops
isley bros
smokey and miracles

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 11:15 am:

GOOD TAKE JOB!!!...CAN'T THINK OF A WHOLE LOT TO ADD TO THAT...AND HAVING SEEN THE CLASSIC FIVE APPEAR LIVE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASSION...EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID HERE RINGS TRUE!!!...STUBASS

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:04 pm:

Stu:
There can really be no number two because it would be a multiple tie.
That's why I'm sticking w/the Tempts as #1 and leaving the rest alone....
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:13 pm:

APPRECIATE YOUR POINT KEVGO...HOWEVER...ONCE WE CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE TEMPTS...IT COULD COME DOWN TO STYLE AS TO # 2!!!...FOR INSTANCE...DO CURTIS MAYFIELDS HIGH SMOOTH LEADS GRAB YOU MORE THAN LEVI'S GUT WRENCHING VOCAL PLEA'S???...DOES EDDIE L CARRY THOSE MUSIC TRACKS FOR THE O'JAYS BETTER THAN SMOKEY'S SOFT SMOOTH FALSETTO'S???...OR DO THE SPINNERS (C.G. OR PHILIPE) DESERVE THE CREDIT FOR ALL THAT GREAT MATERIAL PRODUCED FOR THEM OVER THE YEARS???...KEVGO...I BELIEVE THERE IS ROOM FOR DEBATE HERE!!!...STU

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.45) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:34 pm:

My top Male Soul Groups are 1)Miracles 2)Temptations 3)Four Tops 4)Impressions

By Tony Russi (68.18.227.45) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:36 pm:

1)Miracles 2)Temptations 3)Four Tops 4)Impressions

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:44 pm:

RIGHT GROUPS...WRONG ORDER???...WELL I GUESS I CAN'T SAY THAT SINCE IT'S YOUR OPINION TONY!!!...STU

By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 09:35 pm:

Miracles (if we are counting them as a male group), Temptations, Whispers, Four Tops, Originals, Flamingos, Dominoes, The Moments, Ravens.

By Margie (69.3.116.11) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:07 am:

Jim,

You and John Barry are not the only dissenters - I would have to say The Four Tops with Levi Stubbs pouring his heart and soul out to the listener, and Lawrence Payton putting those wonderful harmonies together.

But, because they sang every style of music, they to me, are the top Male Vocal Group, period!!

Margie

By jimmy mack (62.200.126.2) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:58 am:

maybe they're not the best but
rascals'
groovin'
is a lovely song

By jimmy mack (62.200.126.2) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 06:04 am:

maybe they're not the best but
rascals'
groovin'
is a lovely song

By WaltB (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 06:58 am:

Although the Temptations are my favorite group, I just want to point out that the Four Tops remain the only group to leave Motown and STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HITS at ABC/Dunhill, and Casablanca. Even the Temptations can't say that.

By RD (65.150.228.127) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 07:11 am:

Howabout the Spinners, the Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight & the Pips and the Jacksons, Walt?

By stephanie (64.63.221.192) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:23 am:

Its amazing that you always see the Dramatics and the Dells on a list like this it goes to show you how important they are. Overall and this is a hard one for me it would have to be the Temptations although I was tempted to say the Four Tops because the originals stayed together so long..then I would have to say the Dixie Hummingbirds..
Stephanie

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:13 pm:

OK STEPHANIE!!!...I'LL SEE YOUR DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS...AND RAISE YOU A DIXIE CHICKS...SOME DIXIE CUPS...AND A DEEP IN THE HEART OF DIXIE!!!...STUBASS

By WaltBaby (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 07:38 pm:

RD: Maybe I should've said groups that had their first hit records at Motown. Also were the Jacksons a singing group or a band when they were at Motown? The Isleys and Gladys Knight were proven hitmakers when they arrived at Motown.

By WaltB (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 07:39 pm:

I stand corrected on the Spinners though.

By RD (65.150.229.252) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 08:03 pm:

I never considered the Jackson Five a band but some might. Tito and Jermaine played instruments but I never considered their playing germaine to the groups' success or sound; just something that gave them a different look; plus, they didn't play on their recordings.

Yep, Gladys and the Isleys had hits (in Gladys & the Pips case they never got paid for those hits)prior to Motown but I didn't know you meant "had their first hits" at Motown.

The Fantastic Four had some hits prior to Motown, one at Motown, and a few after Motown. Nothing major, however--prior, during or after--just little hits.

By Charmedes (142.165.104.42) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 09:24 pm:

While watching this group on a recent PBS special after having seen them many years before on Ed Sullivan; I realized I still loved their unique sound. I'm talking about "Little Anthony and the Imperials."

For the most part, in the past, I favored "mixed company in vocal groups, enjoying the interplay of opposite sex voices and stylings. Examples like the Orlons, Fifth Dimension, Staple Singers and Boney M come to mind.

However, if I had been allowed to see any group of male soul performers on stage back in the day it would have been "James Brown and the Famous Flames."

As far as the current scene, I picked up the CD "All rise" by the group "Blue" and found it to be a pleasant listen.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 12:14 am:

HEY RD!!!...SOME MIGHT CONSIDER THE "JACKSON 5"(PLEASE NOTE I SAID "5")...WORTHY OF A MENTION IN THIS DISCUSSION...AND THEY CERTAINLY HAD A HUGE STRING OF HITS...AND PRODUCED A LOT OF REVENUE!!!...ONE MUST STILL CONSIDER THE FOCUS OF THIS THREAD...*SOUL* GROUPS...AND IN MY HUMBLE OPINION...THE "JACKSON 5"(DARE I SAY "NOVELTY" AT THAT TIME)... DID NOT SING "SOUL MUSIC"!!!...THEY SANG "BUBBLEGUM"...AND WHILE THEY PERFORMED IT AT AN INCREDIBLE LEVEL...IT WAS SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL "THE JACKSONS" (NOTICE...NO "5") STARTED RECORDING THE TYPE OF MATERIAL THAT I WOULD CONSIDER...AT LEAST MATERIAL WITH ADULT THEMES...AND THAT...AT LEAST REALLY AT A POINT WHEN "SOUL MUSIC" WAS GIVING WAY TO "DISCO"!!!...THEN...MICHAELS GONE...AND THE JACKSONS NEVER REGAIN THE AURA THEY HAD WITH MICHAEL ABOARD!!!...SO MUCH FOR THE JACKSONS!!!...STUBASS

By Doctor K (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 11:30 am:

No doubt about it. We have all wittnessed modern day history/music makers. They are now all classic artist. Would highly recommend that everybody get there hands on all of the video performances that you can get your hands on. Talk about classics.

By RD (65.150.228.19) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 06:43 pm:

Stu, if you listen to the J5's first albums there are some tracks that Bobby Taylor produced that are hardly "bubblegum." I've never viewed the group in that vein at all; but if you're basing your opinion on just their hits I can see how came to that opinion. In addition, if you saw them live in their heyday you wouldn't view them as bubblegum; the Jacksons were nonstop entertainment from the moment they hit the stage until their last encore.

As far as male groups go, the J5 are an enigma; they're not a band, nor are they a traditional standup vocal group. Though they are more the latter than the former.

Somebody mentioned the Commodores. I considered the Commodores a band. Yet, there was no outcry about that selection. Also, I was replying to Walt's post regarding groups leaving Motown and not having hits and they happened to fit my point; I wasn't nominating them as one of the best male vocal groups.

By LUCY (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 06:45 pm:

JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS PAST DECEMBER WE SAW THE TEMPS IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS(UPSTATE NEW YORK)AND I WILL TELL YOU THEY BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN!!!!!!!
WHEN THEY STARTED TO SING "MY GIRL",THE AUDIENCE OVERPOWERED THEM AND IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS THEY WERE MOVED BY IT,ESPECIALLY OTIS.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!
WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

By Wonder B (80.15.129.62) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 07:54 pm:

I am voting for the 4 Tops, Levi being my favourite singer...
Then Temptations (Dennis Edwards era)
Mills Brothers
O'Jays
Spinners

Wonder B

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 11:40 pm:

IT'S ALL COOL RD!!!...JUST HEALTY DISCUSSION...AND IF WE ALL AGREED...I'D ASK RALPH TO CLOSE THE THREAD!!!...I AM SURE YOU ARE RIGHT CONCERNING SOME OF THE EARLY J-5 MATERIAL...AND I TOTALLY AGREE...THAT THEY WERE TAUGHT TO PUT ON A TREMENDOUS SHOW...AND THEIR TICKET SALES WOULD BEAR THAT OUT!!!...BUT REGARDLESS OF THE MATERIAL...ANY GROUP WITH A 10...11...OR 12 YEAR OLD LEAD SINGER...NO MATTER HOW TALENTED...CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED (AT LEAST IN MY BOOK) A CREDIBLE AND LEGITIMATE "SOUL" GROUP!!!...A "KID" GROUP...SINGING SOUL TYPE MUSIC...OK!!!...WHEN MICHAEL SANG "REACH OUT AND TOUCH" WITH DIANA ROSS...DID ANYONE...OTHER THAN PERHAPS A FEW WEIRDO'S AND TEENY BOPPERS...IMAGINE MICHAEL SINCERELY SINGING TO THEM...OR WAS HE A "CUTE" KID...WITH LOTS OF BALLS...SANG IN TUNE...AND PERFORMED WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS STAGE FRIGHT!!!...I'D SAY MORE THE LATTER!!!...THE EARLY MICHAEL JACKSON WAS NO MORE A LEGITIMATE SOUL SINGER...THAN ALFALFA...BUCKWHEAT...AND SPANKY WERE LEGITIMATE CLASSICAL ACTORS!!!...THEY WEREN'T...JUST CUTE KIDS WITH A LOT OF TALENT (FOR THEIR AGE)...AND THE MOXIE TO GO OUT AN STAGE AND PERFORM!!!...THANKS AGAIN FOR EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION!!!...STU

By RD (65.150.242.49) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 12:07 am:

Stu: Age has nothing to do with rather a singer is soulful or not. Are you saying Stevie Wonder, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, Carl Carlton and others who were around the same age as the Jackson Five were bubblegum?

Bubblegum is a style that doesn't exist in black music. Bubblegum would never get played on black radio. Is David Ruffin's rendition of "I Want You Back" bubblegum? it has virtually the same arrangement as the original just an older voice.

"Yum, Yum Yummy I Got Love In My Tummy" is a bubblegum song. It would be a bubblegum song with that arrangement whether a 12 year old Michael Jackson recorded it or a 60 plus Wilson Pickett waxed it. J5 recorded pop/soul, not bubblegum.

J5's rendition of the Delfonics' "Can You Remember" off their debut album is as soulful as the original by the older Delfonics. Ditto for their "Who's Lovin' You."

If J5 are not a creditable soul group in your opinion how would you classify them? They were far more soulful than Ray Parker and Raydio and many other soul groups.

Please name some black bubblegum records and groups...maybe I'm missing something here...but I don't think so.

By Andy Alonzo (69.14.44.202) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 12:21 am:

Whats missing are the "Roots" of all that is, or has been sung, and thats the real old school, cats that they,and I listened too. The Moonglows,Flamingos,Spanials,Five keys,Dominos, Five Royals, and many more. these were the real pros.

By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (65.229.41.12) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 01:32 am:

The Jackson 5 are most definitely a Soul Group. Michael Jackson is the exception to any rule. One listen to "Who's Loving You" speaks for itself. The J5 rendition is the best rendition of the song. Listen to songs like "Through Thick and Thin" from the original Jackson 5, or "All I Do is Think of You". Great Soul Classics.

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 01:54 am:

OK ALL!!!...I'M LOVIN THIS...BUT IT'S ALL GOOD!!!...THOSE OTHER'S YOU'VE MENTIONED RD...YES...LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON...EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED INTO ADULT PERSONA'S WITH ADULT IDEAS AND CONCEPTS TO EXPRESS...BUT THEY WERE NOT SIGNED OR RECORDED BECAUSE THEY WERE BLOWIN AWAY BERRY GORDY'S CREATIVE WORLD OF MUSIC...BUT ALLOWED BERRY TO BE CONVINCED THAT THESE CHILD "NOVILTY'S" (IF I MAY) COULD GAIN A FOLLOWING AND PRODUCE REVENUE!!!...IT BECOMES MORE A "PAIN IN THE ASS" TO DEAL WITH CHILD ENTERTAINERS (CHILD LABOR LAWS...WANNA BE PARENTS...SPECIAL PROVISIONS)...BUT A FEW HAVE GOTTEN THE OPPORTUNITY...AND THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT A YOUNG STEVIE...MICHAEL...CARL...MCAULEY CULKIN...OR SHIRLEY TEMPLE WERE NOT EXTREMELY TALENTED...ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THEIR AGE...BUT MCAULEY WASN'T CAPABLE OF DOING SHAKESPERE...AND MICHAEL WASN'T CAPABLE OF DOING SAM COOKE...MARVIN...OR OTIS REDDING WITH THE SAME DEGREE OF BELIEVABILITY THAT THEY WERE!!!...BUT HE WAS A REAL CUTE KID (PROBABLY A BIG PART OF HIS CURRENT PROBLEMS)!!!...STUBASS

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 02:06 am:

I WILL GIVE YOU THIS MUCH RD!!!...I DID TITLE THIS THREAD "SOUL VOCAL GROUPS *MALE* OF ALL TIME"!!!...HAD IT TITLED IT "SOUL VOCAL GROUPS *MEN* OF ALL TIME"...I GUESS THIS DISCUSSION WOULD BE UNNECESSARY (CHUCKLE CHUCKLE)!!!...STUBASS

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.109) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 04:46 am:

Right-On to Andy Alonzo
I couldnt agree more
there are/were a lot of exceptional groups around from over so many years.
as well as the ones he mentions there are
so many more like
The Ravens
Robins
Duponts/chesterfields/Little Anthony& Imperials
The Kodoks
The various Red Caps
so many to mention.

I couldnt name any top list
as I have heard so much that dates back to as early as the Days of Bessie Smith
to the present day,
and just looking at the vast amount of groups from the detroit,philly and Chicago areas is enough without mentioning all the other areas with the same excellent talent.


I am just thankful that I have heard and am still being turned on to so many of the great groups from then
Today.

regards
(no top list ever)Chicken-Mel

By SB (206.214.1.162) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 08:13 pm:

Hey STUBASS. My bad for thinking the Tempts would win this debate hands down. Many folks have mentioned some fantastic groups.

I'm not sure I saw The Main Ingredients & Manhattans listed. I used to love those two. And what about "The Testicles." LOL! Like the actor playing Melvin called out in the Tempts' movie. Shame on me. "It's A Shame."

Btw check out this group: the go go swing - chuck brown & the soul searchers (Taken from an EP on Future Records 1985)

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Sounds%20Of%20The%2080%27s.html

Click on it.

Hey Eli - there goes Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers. LOL!

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 08:51 pm:

SB!!!... I THINK THE TEMPTS *DID* WIN THIS DEBATE HANDS DOWN!!!...CERTAINLY...100-PERCENT OF EVERYBODY WILL NOT TOTALLY AGREE ON ANYTHING...BUT AS COMPARED TO THE "GREATEST SOUL SINGER" THREAD...THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE A LANDSLIDE!!!...STUBASS

By R&B (138.238.41.215) on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 10:52 am:

THE CLASSIC TEMPTATIONS!!