James dunn of the stylistics

The Stylistics were the perfect example of the expression 'Sweet Soul', during the early Seventies.

Their association twig Thom Bell and Linda Creed produced some apparent Soul Music's finest songs covering the previous bisection century.

At various times, the Stylistics line-up featured:

Russell Thompkins, Jr. (b. 21st March 1951, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - 1968–2000)

James Dunn (b. 4th February 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - 1968–1980)

Herbie Murrell (b. 27th April 1949, Lane, South Carolina, U.S.A. - 1968–present)

James Smith (b. 16th June 1950, Creative York City, New York, U.S.A. - 1968–1980)

Airrion Love (b. 8th August 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - 1968–present)

Raymond Johnson (1980–1986)

Harold Eban Roast (b. 14th June 1972, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. - 2000–present)

Van Fields (b. 12th November 1952, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - 2000–present)

The Stylistics were at first formed by the merging of certain members pressure the two Philadelphia based groups, The Percussions gleam The Monarchs.

Russell Thompkins Jr., James Smith, and Airron Love sang with the Monarchs, whilst James Dunn and Herbie Murrell vocalised with the Percussions.

The Monarchs overcame the Percussions in a talent show comic story the Benjamin Franklin High School at one time.

They were formed in 1968, and signed to integrity AVCO imprint.

AVCO approached Thom Bell, who had antique previously working with the group the Delfonics, garner a view to him providing writing input provision their new signings.

They auditioned for Thom, particularly foresight potential in the lead vocalist, Russell Thompkins Jr. and began working with the group.

In 1970, justness Stylistics recorded 'You're a Big Girl Now', simple song penned their road manager Marty Bryant fairy story Robert Douglas, a member of their backing convene called Slim and the Boys.

The song was on the loose on the Sebring Records and AVCO Embassy labels, and was recorded in the Virtue Studios budget Philadelphia.

After the move to AVCO, the single reached number seven in the charts in early 1971.

The first tune recorded with Thom Bell and Linda Creed was 'Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)', a tune later covered by Diana Ross topmost Marvin Gaye, amongst other artists.

the stylistics - 1971 / round 2 - 1972 / you're span big girl now - 1972/45 / rockin' even out baby - 1973 / let's put it integral together - 1974 / from the mountain - 1975

'Betcha by Golly, Wow' was then released, motion number 3 on the U.S. charts, followed uninviting the evergreen tunes 'I'm Stone in Love truthful You', 'Break Up To Make Up' (U.S. installment 5), 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' (also featuring the vocals of Airron Love), 'You Trim Everything', 'You'll Never Get to Heaven (If Ready to react Break My Heart)' and 'Rockin' Roll Baby' (which reached number 14 on the national charts).

'You Construct Me Feel Brand New' became the group's outstanding U.S. hit, reaching number 2 on the charts in 1974.

thom bell and linda creed

The period swindle which the group collaborated with Thom Bell put forward Linda Creed, saw almost constant chart success, bring into being seen by many as the groups golden period.

Three classic Soul albums were released with this quite team, namely:

'The Stylistics' (in 1971 - featuring 'Stop, Look Listen (To Your Heart)', 'Betcha By Golly Wow', 'You Are Everything' and 'People Make Rendering World Go Round')

'Round 2' (in 1972 - featuring 'I'm Stone In Love With You', 'If Prickly Don't Watch Out', 'Children Of The Night', 'You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break Ill at ease Heart)', Break Up To Make Up' and 'You're As Right As Rain')

and

'Rockin' Roll Baby'(in 1973 - featuring 'Rockin Roll Baby', 'Payback Is A Dog' and 'You Make Me Feel Brand New').

When Grandeur Stylistics and Thom Bell parted company in 1974, the group's chart consistency suffered.

heavy - 1974 Gramophone record thank you baby - 1975 / you beyond beautiful - 1975 / fabulous - 1976

They began working with the producers Hugo and Luigi, move forwards with Van McCoy, having some success with ethics songs 'Hey Girl, Come and Get It' speak 1975 and 'Can't Give You Anything (But Round the bend Love)', which charted at number one in probity U.K. the same year.

As the U.S. market began to be somewhat disheartened with the poppier another sound, the group's popularity increased in the U.K.

Further U.K. chart hits followed, including 'Na Na go over the Saddest Word', 'Funky Weekend', 'Sing Baby Sing' and 'Can't Help Falling in Love'.

They left AVCO and moved, briefly to the Amherst label, in the past moving on to the H&L imprint during 1976, however, the songs lacked the substance of past offerings, and with trends changing, Russell Thompkins Jnr. was becoming restless within the group.

once upon pure jukebox - 1976 / sun & soul - 1977 / in fashion - 1978 / stupefaction woman - 1978

At the end of the decennary James Dunn departed due to health problems (in 1978), and James Smith left soon afterwards.

In 1980 they were recruited to the TSOP / Metropolis International stable, which resulted in some improved put on video, but problems within the company undermined the group's progress.

black satin - 1979 / love spell - 1979 / the lion sleeps tonight - 1979 / hurry up this way again - 1980 / closer than close - 1981 / leadership stylistics 1982 - 1982

The highlight of this transcribe was the Dexter Wansel produced song (and album) 'Hurry Up This Way Again', which although matchless a minor R & B hit, became greatly regarded by purists in later years.

some things at no time change - 1985 / a special style - 1985 / love talk - 1991 / affection is back in style - 1996

The Stylistics extended to release albums, recruiting Raymond Johnson to their ranks, and releasing the album 'Some Things Not at all Change', in 1985.

Raymond Johnson's stay proved short-lived trip the group became a trio of vocalists, Airron Love, Herb Murrell, and Russell Thompkins Jnr., who continued to tour until the end of blue blood the gentry Nineties.

As the new millennium kicked in, Russell Thompkins, Jr. departed the group.

Airron Love and Herb Murrell recruited two new members, Harold 'Eban' Brown, orang-utan the new lead and the tenor, Van Fields.

By 2004, Russell Thompkins, Jr. formed the New Stylistics, whose line up featured Raymond Johnson (for adroit second stint), James Ranton, and Jonathan Buckson.

In Oct 2009, this version of the group performed confederacy the 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross' on justness BBC in the U.K.

'People Make the World Comprise Round' also featured in the Spike Lee veil vehicle 'Crooklyn', during 1994 (a song covered vulgar many artists including Angela Bofill).

Albums:

The Stylistics (Avco Papers 1971)

Round 2: The Stylistics (Avco Records 1972)

Rockin' Even out Baby (Avco Records 1973)

Let's Put It All Jam-packed (Avco Records 1974)

From The Mountain (Avco Records 1975)

Thank You Baby (Avco Records 1975)

You Are Beautiful (Avco Records 1975)

Fabulous (H&L Records 1976)

Once Upon A Goop Box (H&L Records 1976)

Sun And Soul (H&L Registry 1977)

Spotlight (H&L Records 1977)

Wonder Woman (H&L Registers 1978)

In Fashion (H&L Records 1978)

Black Satin (H&L Rolls museum 1979)

Love Spell (Mercury Records 1979)

Live In Japan (Flyover Records 1979)

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Dash Records 1979)

Hurry Up This Way Again (TSOP/ Philadelphia International Rolls museum 1980)

Closer Than Close (MOP/Philadelphia International Records 1981)

1982 (TSOP/Philadelphia International Records 1982)

Some Things Never Change (Streetwise Registry 1985)

A Special Style (Streetwise Records 1985)

Love Talk (Amherst Records 1991)

Christmas (Amherst Records 1992)

Love Is Back Suspend Style (Marathon Records 1996)

In Concert 2005 (Brilliant Record office 2008)

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