STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - THE STYLISTICS - THE STYLISTICS

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Good Monday morning gang and welcome back to Stuck In The Vinyl Again . Today we joyfully celebrate the 71st Birthday of Philadelphia born soul and R&B vocalist, Russell Thompkins Jr., best known as the original lead singer in The Stylistics. Happy Birthday Russell ! With him in mind, we spotlight the group's self titled debut album, The Stylistics. The LP was released November 6, 1971 on the Avco label and produced by Thom Bell. It peaked at #42 in the UK, #38 in Canada, #23 in Australia and the Billboard 200, and #3 on the R&B charts. Five singles were released from the nine track album ; "You're a Big Girl Now" (#73 Hot 100, #7 R&B), "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" (#39 Hot 100, #6 R&B) , "You Are Everything" (#24 Adult Contemporary, #10 R&B, #9 Hot 100),   "Betcha by Golly, Wow" (#13 UK, #7 Adult Contemporary, #3 Hot 100, #2 R&B), and "People Make The World Go Round" (#25 Adult Contemporary, Hot 100 and #6 R&B).

1. "Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)" 2:54
2. "Point of No Return" 2:45
3. "Betcha by Golly, Wow" 3:47
4. "Country Living" 2:57
5. "You're a Big Girl Now" Marty Bryant, Robert Douglas 3:14

Side two

6. "You Are Everything" 2:55
7. "People Make the World Go Round" 6:26
8. "Ebony Eyes" 2:21
9. "If I Love You" 2:05

Russell Thompkins Jr. – lead and backing vocals

Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram – additional background vocals

Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar

Ronnie Baker – bass

Earl Young – drums

Larry Washington – congas

Vince Montana – percussion

Lenny Pakula – piano, organ

Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn

Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet

Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute

George Shaw – flute

Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone

Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings

Mary Gale – harp

Fredric Cohen – oboe