Genre: soul
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: South Shore Commission
Company: Wand
Catalog: WDS-6100
Year: 1975
Country/State: Detroit, Michigan
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4752
Price: $25.00
Cost: $66.00
1974 found the band signed to Scepter Records' Wand subsidiary. Their debut 'Free Man' b/w 'Free Man (disco version)' (Wand catalog number WND-11287) went top-10 R&B and top-100 pop, leading Wand to rush them back in the studio to record a supporting album.
Working separately with producers Dick Griffey, Bunny Sigler (who also co-wrote most of the album) and Stan Watson, 1975's cleverly titled "South Shore Connection" is a surprisingly interesting set of Philly International-styled soul and light disco. That distinctive Philly feel may have something to do with the fact most of the album was recorded at Philadelphia International's Sigma Sound Studios with considerable help from Philly International sessions players. Lead singers Sheryl Henry and Frank McCurry were both quite good, though the standout tune ' Before You've Gone' was sung by someone anonymously listed as 'Carrie'. Mind you, nothing here is particularly exciting or original, but roughly half of the album sports the pounding beats that made such material club favorites. Wand also tapped the LP for two follow-on singles, both which charted:
- 1975's ' We're On the Right Track' b/w 'I'd Rather Switch Than Fight' (Wand catalog number WND-111291)
- 1975's 'A Train Called Freedom' b/w 'A Train called Freedom' (disco version) (Wand catalog number WND-11287)
"South Shore Commission" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Handle with Care (Bunny Sigler - Phil Hurt) - 5:53
2.) Before You've Gone (Lance Arnell) - 4:39
3.) I'd Rather Switch Than Fight (Carrie) - 3:47
4.) Free Man (Bunny Sigler - Ronnie Tyson) - 7:21
(side
2)
1.) We're On the Right Track (Norman Harris - Allen Felder)
- 4:50
2.) Just a Matter of Time (Bunny Sigler - Ronnie Tyson) - 4:36
3.) Train Called Freedom (Bunny Sigler - Ronnie Tyson) - 5:16
4.) Any Day Now (Burt Bacharach - Bob Hillard) - 6:16