THE PERSUADERS

I never expected to hear another new Persuaders album, so it was a distinct pleasure to open the jacket for Made to be Loved, the group's first album in a long, long time. It was even better to hear how great their harmonies sound three decades after I'd last heard them.

The addition of Tony "Showtime" Riley (who is a vocal dead ringer for the Dells' Marvin Junior) has given the Persuaders a gritty, soulful lead, and he works the album's finest moments on "Don't Think I Won't Leave," the uptempo "I Don't Think So," and the disc's strong opener, "A Woman Was Made to Be Loved." The CD also includes nice nostalgic moments with the group's cover of "You're The Best Thing," a cut they first recorded over 30 years ago (and which later became a big hit for Gladys Knight), and on "All The People," which marks the return of original member Willie B. Holland. It is also fun hearing longtime NY disc jockey Maurice Watts as "The Voice" of the preacher in "The Wedding Song."

Made to Be Loved could safely have been trimmed from its 15 cuts to a stronger ten or eleven. The bigger problem though, is that the material screams for a real band behind the singers, as the largely synthetic instrumentation on the disc sucks some of the warmth out the group's fine performance.

While it's not perfect, Made to Be Loved is certainly a welcome return of one of the truly underrated groups of the 70s and is hopefully the first of a series of new recordings by this longtime favorite.


- CHRIS RIZIK

For me writing CD reviews is a passion and as we all know sometimes where
there is passion there can also be pain. Sometimes a legendary artist
releases a CD of new music the process can be quite painful because the new music simply "doesn't measure up". And it becomes painful because quite
naturally I am rooting for the legendary artist to "bust a knutt", but instead they end up "shooting blanks" (as happened several times during
2005).
In this case, that was far from the case and I am pleased to tell yall about a BRAND NEW 2006 release to kick off the New Year. This new release, called "A Woman Was Made to Be Loved" by the legendary 1970's group the Persuaders is going to end up getting more than a few people pregnant (and I mean that
quite literally..lol).

There are 15 songs on this album and there are "no blanks shot here. The Persuaders are coming at us "locked and loaded" right from the very first song entitled "A Woman Was Made to Be Loved", which is reminiscent of a Teddy P. kinda groove that reaches out and grabs you right from the start.
The song is a great tribute to the Black woman and deserves to be mentioned with the best there have been from the past and sets the overall tone for the entire album. This is a CD to be played late at night, it's a serious
"foreplay" kind of album that's going to lead to..(well I don't want to get
too graphic here..lol).

This album contains two songs that are likely to become instant "Black
American Music Standards". Look for the song "Mama" to be played on Black radio stations every Mother's Day and for the "Wedding Song" to become a song that finds a permanent home in the stack of every DJ who has to play
wedding gigs.

The CD "A Woman Was Made to Be Loved" also contains 3 "cover songs"; You're the Best Thing" (Gladys Knight and the Pips), "House is Not a Home" (Luther) and the IMMORTAL "Hypnotized". The original version thesong "Hypnotized" (by
Linda Jones) was voted as the #1 slow jam of all time a few years ago in a
survey of Soul-Patrollers. It's a great example of "Black American Standard Music" and has been covered by others in the past (Bloodstone, Matte'). What's
ironic about its appearance here is that "Hypnotized" was written by Mr. Richard Poindexter, a member of the Persuaders and the writer of all of the original songs on the album.

Back in 1973 my favorite song by the Persuaders "Bad Bold And Beautiful Girl" rose to #24 on the R&B charts, but more importantly it played a key role in my adolescent upbringing, because it was one of those type of songs that when played at "blue light basement parties" as it ended someone would shout out from the teenaged crowd: "Run that mf back again". Brothas if you play this album for your lady, she will be saying the same..And when she does, just make sure that YOU aren't "shooting any blanks".

And speaking of "original songs", my personal favorite on this album is "She's Mine". This is one of those kinds of songs that "if all was perfect in this world", would probably be a hit song on the R&B charts and also cross over
to the Pop charts. However we all know that since "all is not right in this world" this album is going to need the help of music lovers around the world in order for it to make anyone's damn chart. This is an INDEPENDENTLY produced album and as such we as music fans are going to have to take on the responsibility ourselves.

I am told by "the experts" that the average person buys about 5 CD's per year. What I am suggesting here is that you should personally commit to making this album one of those five that you purchase.

The album ends on a hopeful note with a song called "(It's Gonna Take) All The People", which is a call to action on an individual basis to help make this world a better place. Let me suggest that helping to make the world a better place can start with spreading the joy of the music contained in this
CD and turning other people on to it. So therefore I am not only suggesting that you buy this CD, but also suggest that you buy TWO COPIES and give one
to a friend.
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Bob Davis
earthjuice@prodigy.net
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www.soul-patrol.com

- BOB DAVIS - SOUL-PATROL

An amazingly great new album from The Persuaders -- quite possibly their best so far since the group's debut on Atlantic, and a brilliant mix of older harmonies and newer grooves! There's none of the "old group trying to come back" feel here -- because, if anything, The Persuaders sound stronger and more confident than ever -- really gliding out with incredible vocals, and picking just the right sort of modern rhythms to update their sound without losing the soul. The whole thing's a wonderful blend of classic 70s and the best Neo Soul modes -- a style that few other groups could handle this well -- and the CD's easily one of the best new group soul efforts we've heard in years! Most tracks are originals, and there's plenty of "soon to be classic" numbers here -- a great set of tunes that includes "Mama", "As One", "A Woman Was Made To Be Loved", "Never Stop Loving You", "The Wedding Song", "All Up In Your Love", and "She's Mine".
- DUSTY GROOVE (CHICAGO)

The Persuaders -
Made To Be Loved
It's Soul Time Records

The Persuaders were one of the best vocal groups of the 70's with their Atco and Calla releases creating one of the finest group soul records of all time in "Thin Line Between Love And Hate".

The good news is that their new CD recalls those golden days of the 70's even though the group has been through a variety of personnel changes. The group currently consists of Alexander Brown, Richard Pointdexter, Tony Riley and David Turner.

UK soulster Andy Lothian set up It's Soul Time Records back in 2004 and he initially issued a 45 on the Persuaders "Hypnotised"/"Mama" which are featured on the CD.

The CD is a 13 tracker and though there is programming put that to one side because the harmonies are top notch and the original songs from the pen of Richard Pointdexter are class.

Let me take you through the CD:

A Woman Was Made To Be Loved

A strong opening number with Tony Riley taking lead with some beautiful harmonies from the rest of the guys. This song just sways from side to side on the groove laid down and the harmonies make this such a memorable number in celebration of the ladies of the world!

Never Stop Loving You

A midtempo slice of sultry soul harmony with David Turner on lead who delivers a sweet slice of singing with the guys beautifully backing him up as he tells his lady that he will always love her.

Don't Think I Won't Leave You

A slow atmospheric number with acoustic guitar and thunder sounds opening before Tony comes back reminding me of Randy Brown in his style of singing. This is such a strong side about a tale of love where if his woman doesn't stay faithful to him he is off.

What About You

David Turner talks over the intro telling us about his woman before breaking into a wonderful sweet performance again with strong harmonies.

All Up In Your Love

The guys chop it up with this slightly funky number with Richard taking lead over a mellow groove.

Mama

David Turner sings with passion about the passing of his mother and how we should never take our mothers for granted.

As One

Another mellow groover with David on lead.

The Wedding Song

This could have been corny but it is such a beautiful song that you cannot fail to fall for it! The soulful sounds of David backed the guys are what make it so beautiful. There is a bit in the middle where they break down into a Dramatics type bag which is marvellous and Maurice Watts lends his voice on the wedding vows.

You're The Best Thing

Tony Riley's baritone lead is strong on this remake of "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" reminding me of the Dells and The Dramatics.

This Time Next Year

A beaty stepper which effortlessly floats along with repeated harmonic refrains from the guys.

She's Mine

Alexander Brown provides the falsetto on a song that has you tapping a long as the mellow groove just gets to you.

I Don't Think So

This has a more modern feel with it choppy rhythm and programming but the singing from Tony is pure Teddy Pendergast meets Randy Brown. This track is one of my favourites on the CD because of the strong singing and the groove created which had me clicking my fingers and bopping around.

A House Is Not A Home

Richard Pointdexter steps up on this remake of the classic Bacharach classic and does it to death again in a style which recalls the Dells. It is hard to believe that in 2oo6, people are still creating such wonderful harmonies.

Hypnotised

Richard sings another classic that he wrote for Linda Jones and from the roll of the drum machine at the beginning you know that this is going to be a killer side. It is always hard to follow certain versions but Richard's interpretation of his own song is truly uplifting and when he lets go towards the end it is spine chilling.

All The People

This sees original group member Willie B. Holland joining the guys on a social message on the behalf of the people. We are back with the social consciousness songs of the early 70's which are still needed today in a society which never listens to itself and lets itself be destroyed.

All I can say is get out there and buy this CD because it has the In Dangerous Rhythm seal of approval!

You can get it from Soul Brother Records in the UK.
- COLIN DILNOT