For well over 40 years now, the Chicago, Illinois born and reared Sisters Hutchinson, Wanda, Sheila, Jeanette, and Pamela, known to the world professionally as "The Emotions", graced the world's stages and blessed us all with their heavenly sounding vocals, and an incredible body of work. Like most artists in our African-American communities, they started singing in church at a very age under the tutelage of their father, the late Joseph Hutchinson. They were known as the "Hutchinson Sunbeams".
Throughout the years thereafter, they've honed their skills as writers and performers, eventually signing with the historic Memphis, TN based record label, Stax Records, recording for their Volt imprint. They've recorded a series of hit records for them throughout the '60's and early '70's. Through a network of connections, they meet with fellow Chicagoan, the late great arranger, Mr. Charles Stepney and EWF's mastermind, Maurice White. After an impromptu audition for Maurice, the rest, as they say, is history. "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", "Don't Ask Neighbors", the collaboration with EWF on "Boogie Wonderland", "Where Is Your Love ?", etc. became staples in our African-American communities.
But I'd like to focus our attention to a very underappreciated, and minusculedly promoted album of theirs, that SHOULD'VE taken their careers to even higher levels. The album I'm referring to, is 1985's "If Only I Knew", recorded for Motown Records. Returning to the major label ranks, after recording yet ANOTHER underappreciated album, 1984's "Sincerely", recorded for an independent Chicago based record company, The Red Label, The Emotions took a different turn in terms of where they were going musically. Experimenting with slight rock 'n roll and pop sensibilities, they've crafted an enjoyable, well recorded, and possibly one of the greatest projects in their storied career. Let's take another look at an album radio at the time, and some fans missed out on. Unfortunately, this was their last commercial album release of new material. On this particular recording, a new singer, Adrianne Harris, rounds out the venerable trio.
"Supernatural" ~ {co-written by Crystal Wilson, Jamie Parrish, Edwin Blackmon, Wanda Vaughn, Kenny Pickens. Produced by W. W. Productions with Wanda Vaughn}
This uptempo song incorporates a feel good melody and an infectious sing along chorus that will sure enough have you dancing. The live drums heard here, work well in conjunction with the electric thumped bass guitar. That within itself is somewhat of an anomaly considering the proliferation of drum machines and bass synthesizers dominating most records during that time in 1985. The vocals, both lead and background, are as melodic and heavenly sounding as they could ever be. The Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer fills adds depth and emotion {no pun intended} to an already emotion filled track. The two rhythm guitar's playing against each other add the spark that drives the song home. It's worth noting that one of the song's co-writers, Kenny Pickens, was the trombone player in The Brothers Johnson Band, and keyboardist/co-producer Wayne Vaughn's ex-bandmate in the same group. {SEE ACCOMPANYING 'AUDIO ONLY' YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW}
"Miss Your Love" ~ {Co-Written by W. Vaughn and J. Philpot}
This Wanda & Wayne Vaughn produced track, and single, injected more of the rock 'n roll flare than most of other songs on this album. It's hard driving rhythm and "feel" is something one would not normally associate with an Emotions song, which is a good thing. There's nothing wrong with stretching the confined boundaries of Urban based music. The one musical element that standout the most is the lead vocal performance as it's sung with roar of a lioness, and agony of a, let's say, a heartbroken Tina Turner. It's marvelous to say the least, as you won't just hear it, you'll feel it, BIG TIME ! .... The heavy back beat of the live drums, once again, blends well with the funk infused thumped electric bass guitar. The strummed chords of the rhythm guitar, and the steady chords played on the synthesizer, all gel together quite nicely with the synthesizer fills heard in the background. The background vocal performance are just as scintillating as the lead vocal.
Album title track, and last single culled, "If I Only Knew (What I Know Now)", is a wonderful ballad that certainly should've received greater airplay in more markets than it did. This one is taylor made for urban radio's "Quiet Storm" late night shows. Though the co-lead vocal's are sung beautifully, the background vocals are clearly the stars of this show as their presense stood out even greater, and they're in perfect harmony to boot. This mid tempo ballad instrumentation comprised mainly of Simmons Electric Drum Pads fills, a droned bass synthesizer, as well as synthesizer horns to give the track it's "shine".
"Giving You All I Got" ~ {Co-written and produced by Billy Osborne & Attla Zane Giles, with Sheila Hutchinson on lead vocal}
To me, and this is just my opinion, this song should've been the designated single as opposed to "If I Only Knew". Don't get me wrong, "If I Only Knew", is a great song ! There's no doubt about that ! .... buh ....buh .... but this song is better, I'm sorry :-( .... I have no idea why ANYONE, that includes the artist and the powers that be at Motown during that time, didn't pick up on this. This song could've been the "saving grace" this album needed. The melody is just gorgeous, the lyrics are sexy as I don't know what ! This should've been a "no-brainer" :-(
"Closer To You" ~ {Co-written and arranged by David Cochrane & Deborah Thomas. Produced by David Cochrane & Lee Young, Sr., with Sheila Hutchinson on Lead Vocal}
Now this track, instrumentation wise, sounds more in line in what was going on in 1985. Those mid '80's soundscapes include mid rangy bass synthesizer stabs, bright and crisp synthesizer sustained chords, and whammy barred electric guitar effects, as well as rhythm guitar licks, and the "GRAND DADDY" of everything '80's percussion .... "Simmons Electric Drum Pads" and the "Oberheim DMX Drum Machine" {See Photos Directly Below} .... Now look at them ! :-) ... Aren't they beautiful ?! :-) .... Awwww !!!! :-) .... I mean, c'mon now ! You can't get anymore '80's than that !!! .... Well, besides "Miami Vice", "The A Team", and the "Back To The Future" movie. But those instruments, as well as this song, personafied all things '80's ! :-) .... and the vocals, both lead and background ........ EXCELLENT !!
Throughout the years thereafter, they've honed their skills as writers and performers, eventually signing with the historic Memphis, TN based record label, Stax Records, recording for their Volt imprint. They've recorded a series of hit records for them throughout the '60's and early '70's. Through a network of connections, they meet with fellow Chicagoan, the late great arranger, Mr. Charles Stepney and EWF's mastermind, Maurice White. After an impromptu audition for Maurice, the rest, as they say, is history. "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", "Don't Ask Neighbors", the collaboration with EWF on "Boogie Wonderland", "Where Is Your Love ?", etc. became staples in our African-American communities.
But I'd like to focus our attention to a very underappreciated, and minusculedly promoted album of theirs, that SHOULD'VE taken their careers to even higher levels. The album I'm referring to, is 1985's "If Only I Knew", recorded for Motown Records. Returning to the major label ranks, after recording yet ANOTHER underappreciated album, 1984's "Sincerely", recorded for an independent Chicago based record company, The Red Label, The Emotions took a different turn in terms of where they were going musically. Experimenting with slight rock 'n roll and pop sensibilities, they've crafted an enjoyable, well recorded, and possibly one of the greatest projects in their storied career. Let's take another look at an album radio at the time, and some fans missed out on. Unfortunately, this was their last commercial album release of new material. On this particular recording, a new singer, Adrianne Harris, rounds out the venerable trio.
"Supernatural" ~ {co-written by Crystal Wilson, Jamie Parrish, Edwin Blackmon, Wanda Vaughn, Kenny Pickens. Produced by W. W. Productions with Wanda Vaughn}
This uptempo song incorporates a feel good melody and an infectious sing along chorus that will sure enough have you dancing. The live drums heard here, work well in conjunction with the electric thumped bass guitar. That within itself is somewhat of an anomaly considering the proliferation of drum machines and bass synthesizers dominating most records during that time in 1985. The vocals, both lead and background, are as melodic and heavenly sounding as they could ever be. The Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer fills adds depth and emotion {no pun intended} to an already emotion filled track. The two rhythm guitar's playing against each other add the spark that drives the song home. It's worth noting that one of the song's co-writers, Kenny Pickens, was the trombone player in The Brothers Johnson Band, and keyboardist/co-producer Wayne Vaughn's ex-bandmate in the same group. {SEE ACCOMPANYING 'AUDIO ONLY' YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW}
"Miss Your Love" ~ {Co-Written by W. Vaughn and J. Philpot}
This Wanda & Wayne Vaughn produced track, and single, injected more of the rock 'n roll flare than most of other songs on this album. It's hard driving rhythm and "feel" is something one would not normally associate with an Emotions song, which is a good thing. There's nothing wrong with stretching the confined boundaries of Urban based music. The one musical element that standout the most is the lead vocal performance as it's sung with roar of a lioness, and agony of a, let's say, a heartbroken Tina Turner. It's marvelous to say the least, as you won't just hear it, you'll feel it, BIG TIME ! .... The heavy back beat of the live drums, once again, blends well with the funk infused thumped electric bass guitar. The strummed chords of the rhythm guitar, and the steady chords played on the synthesizer, all gel together quite nicely with the synthesizer fills heard in the background. The background vocal performance are just as scintillating as the lead vocal.
Album title track, and last single culled, "If I Only Knew (What I Know Now)", is a wonderful ballad that certainly should've received greater airplay in more markets than it did. This one is taylor made for urban radio's "Quiet Storm" late night shows. Though the co-lead vocal's are sung beautifully, the background vocals are clearly the stars of this show as their presense stood out even greater, and they're in perfect harmony to boot. This mid tempo ballad instrumentation comprised mainly of Simmons Electric Drum Pads fills, a droned bass synthesizer, as well as synthesizer horns to give the track it's "shine".
"Giving You All I Got" ~ {Co-written and produced by Billy Osborne & Attla Zane Giles, with Sheila Hutchinson on lead vocal}
To me, and this is just my opinion, this song should've been the designated single as opposed to "If I Only Knew". Don't get me wrong, "If I Only Knew", is a great song ! There's no doubt about that ! .... buh ....buh .... but this song is better, I'm sorry :-( .... I have no idea why ANYONE, that includes the artist and the powers that be at Motown during that time, didn't pick up on this. This song could've been the "saving grace" this album needed. The melody is just gorgeous, the lyrics are sexy as I don't know what ! This should've been a "no-brainer" :-(
"Closer To You" ~ {Co-written and arranged by David Cochrane & Deborah Thomas. Produced by David Cochrane & Lee Young, Sr., with Sheila Hutchinson on Lead Vocal}
Now this track, instrumentation wise, sounds more in line in what was going on in 1985. Those mid '80's soundscapes include mid rangy bass synthesizer stabs, bright and crisp synthesizer sustained chords, and whammy barred electric guitar effects, as well as rhythm guitar licks, and the "GRAND DADDY" of everything '80's percussion .... "Simmons Electric Drum Pads" and the "Oberheim DMX Drum Machine" {See Photos Directly Below} .... Now look at them ! :-) ... Aren't they beautiful ?! :-) .... Awwww !!!! :-) .... I mean, c'mon now ! You can't get anymore '80's than that !!! .... Well, besides "Miami Vice", "The A Team", and the "Back To The Future" movie. But those instruments, as well as this song, personafied all things '80's ! :-) .... and the vocals, both lead and background ........ EXCELLENT !!
This album is definitely worthy of a CD reissue, or at least to be mastered for an iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, etc., addition. I'm hoping the people at the Universal Music Group is reading this review to consider it at least. Better yet, I summon any CD reissue company to obtain a license from Universal to have it made available to the public again. It's a very solid, well crafted album that didn't get it's just due in 1985. Like they say, what's old is new, and this album could certainly be new again to their worldwide legions of fans, and bring on board a whole new generation of followers.
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
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