- Barbara Berryman - vocals (1973-)

- Barbara Lewis - vocals (1973-)

- Steve Ranagan - vocals (1973-)

- Celeste Rose - vocals (1973-)

- Don Wyatt - vocals (1973-)

- The Colts (Don Wyatt)

- The Elegin (Barbara Lewis)

- The Fortunes (Don Wyatt)

Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Creative Source

Company: Sussex

Catalog: SRA-8027

Year: 1974

Country/State: Los Angeles, California

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4888

Price: $25.00

Cost: $66.00

I've always suspected Creative Source as being Sussex Records' attempt to recreate a mid-1970s version of The 5th Dimension.  Part of that may have something to do with the fact the band's original manager was 5th Dimension vocalist Ron Townsend.

Based in L.A., Creative Source came together in 1973.  The original lineup consisted of Barbara Berryman, ex-Elgins Barbara Lewis, Steve Ranagan,  Celeste Rose and former Colts/Fortunes singer Don Wyatt.  With support from Townsend the group attracted the attention of Sussex Records, which signed them to a contract.

Teamed with producer Mike Stokes (who also contributed a couple of songs to the project), 1974's cleverly-titled "Creative Source" is surprisingly good.  The earlier comparison to The 5th Dimension isn't 100% accurate, but the group's close knit harmonies and Paul Riser's smooth arrangements aren't totally off the mark.  That said, The 5th Dimension have seldom recorded anything as good as the leadoff number 'You Can't Hide Love'.  Creative Source's version simply beats the crap out of the Earth, Wind and Fire original.  Besides, can you imagine The 5th Dimension having the guts to cover Steppenwolf's 'Magic Carpet Ride'?  The LP is actually far better than the earlier MOR-oriented comments would have you imagine. The magic ingredient is probably lead singer Wyatt whose rugged baritone recalls a youthful Jerry Butler.  Doubt the comparison, then check out the mesmerizing 'You're Too Got To Be True'.   Elsewhere, released as a single (the album cut clocked in at over 11 minutes),  their Norman Whitfield-psych-styled cover of Bill Withers' 'Who Is He and What Is He To You' b/w 'Who Is He and What Is He To You (instrumental)' (Sussex catalog number SR-509) provided the group with a top-70 hit.  The parent album actually managed to hit #152 on the pop charts.

"Creative Source" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) You Can't Hide Love   (Skip Scarborough) - 3:32

2.) Let Me In Your Life   (Bill Withers) - 3:03

3.) Lovesville   (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas) - 3:58

4.) You're Too Good To Be True   (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas) -3:30

5.) Wild Flower   (D. Richardson - D. Edwards) - 4:39

(side 2)

1.) Magic Carpet Ride   (R. Morene - John Kay) - 3:10

2.) Who Is He and What Is He To You   (Bill Withers - S. McKenney) - 11:45

3.) Oh Love   (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas) - 3:24

Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Migraton

Company: Sussex

Catalog: SRA-8035

Year: 1974

Country/State: Los Angeles, California

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor corner wear on sleeve; minor tear on front cover (hard to see)

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4320

Price: $15.00

Cost: $66.00

Given how good their debut was, I wasn't expecting all that much from Creative Source's sophomore release.  Produced by Mike Stokes, 1974's "Migration" may not have anything as immediately as impressive as You Can't Hide Love', but the overall album is actually more consistent and enjoyable than the debut.  Powered by Steve Ranagan and Don Wyatt's growling vocals, these guys are The 5th Dimension on steroids.  Tracks such as 'I'm Gonna Get There', 'Corozon' (beats Carole King's to shreds) and their sizzling cover of Bill Withers' 'Harlem' are simply great.  The more commercial ballads such as 'I Just Can't See Myself without You' and 'Let Me Be the One' aren't bad either.  Because of the stretched out instrumental fade out, the former's about three minutes too long, but so what.  The only real disappointment here is the disco-influenced 'Got To Keep On Movin''. Amazing this wasn't a massive commercial hit ... 

"Migration" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) I'm Gonna Get There  (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas - Don Wyatt) - 2:27

2.) Harlem   (Bill Withers) - 4:57

3.) I Just Can't See Myself without You   (Skip Scarborough) - 7:38

(side 2)

1.) Keep On Movin'  (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas - Skip Scarborough) - 2:35

2.) Migration  (Mike Stokes - J. Thomas) - 4:22

3.) Corazon   (Carole King) - 4:41

4.) Let Me Be the One   (Paul Williams - R. Nicholas) - 3:37