Ranking: Songs from The Spinners- Best of (1978)

   The Spinners were my favorite R&B vocal group of the 70's.  During their golden run of 1972-76, they made some of the most perfect records by any Pop, R&B act of that era.  Getting Thom Bell to produce them in 1972 had a lot to do with the sound of their music.  Bell already had success with the Delfonics and the Stylistics.  Producing and co-writing (mostly with Linda Creed) he crafted some of the most adventurous sounding Philly Soul music of that era.  One other addition helped put the Spinners on the map in the 70's was the addition of Philippe Wynne.  Wynne's dynamic stage presence and vocal strength (especially his ad-libs) set their records apart from other R&B groups.  Before all of this happened the group spent many years on Motown trying to come up with a big hit.  Journeymen waiting for their big. break.  

  The Best of the Spinners was released in 1978 after Wynne left the group in 1976.  Wynne went looking for solo success but never found it.  He died of a heart attack at age 43 in 1984.  The Best of was the first Spinners album I ever bought. A solid 10 track summation of their peak Atlantic years. 

And until Rhino took over their catalog in the 90's, it was the only compilation that focused on their 72-76 run of crossover hits.  

  If not for a few admissions it would still stand up today as the definitive Spinners hits set.  Would have been nice if Atlantic had licensed their biggest Motown hit, "It's A Shame" (1970 #14 Pop).  Also missing are Wynne's showcase, "Love Don't Love Nobody", a #15 Pop hit in 1974.  And if you want their two post-1976 hits, Working My Way Back To You" and "Cupid", you should pickup the equally definitive single disc Very Best of from Rhino, released in 1993. 

1.  I'll Be Around

2.  Could It Be I'm Falling In Love

3.  Rubberband Man 

4.  Mighty Love

5.  Games People Play

6.  Then Came You (w/Dionne Warwick)

7.  Sadie

8.  One Of A Kind (Love Affair)

9.  Ghetto Child

10.  How Could I Let You Get Away