The Manhattans (album)
Encyclopedia
The Manhattans is the self-titled album by R&B vocal group The Manhattans
, released in 1976 on the Columbia
label. The Manhattans was the group's third Columbia album; the previous two (There's No Me Without You and That's How Much I Love You) had sold respectably to the R&B market, but failed to garner any significant crossover attention. The Manhattans however went on to become commercially the most successful album of the group's career, peaking at #16 on the Billboard 200
and #6 on the R&B listings
.
With seven of the ten tracks recorded at the famed Sigma Sound Studios
in Philadelphia, the album is, in terms of vocal style and production, very much in the elegant, slick and sophisticated tradition of the premier male Philadelphia soul
vocal groups of the early-to-mid 1970s, such as The Delfonics
and Blue Magic
, although the influence of the then burgeoning disco sound is also evident on the more uptempo tracks such as "Searching for Love". The album's commercial success was driven by the release of the single "Kiss and Say Goodbye
", which took off immediately in all markets and became the group's signature song. With its distinctive 60-second spoken introduction by Winfred "Blue" Lovett (also the writer of the song), the single (edited by almost a minute from the album version) topped the R&B chart
for one week in May 1976, then crossed over into the pop market and also spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in July. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" also became a major hit in the UK
, reaching #4 and pushing the album into the top 40
. Later in 1976, the single "Hurt" – a cover of a song which had previously been a hit for Roy Hamilton
and Timi Yuro
in 1954 and 1961 respectively – also rose to #4 in the UK, despite having barely scraped into the top 100 in the U.S. when released there in late 1975.
The album has maintained its critical reputation for consistently strong material, production values and vocal expertise. Allmusic's Lindsay Planer states: "Under the direction of Philly groove master Bobby Martin, the group utilizes its streetwise doo-wop delivery on a mixed bag of sounds. These include uptempo numbers...as well as orchestrated sounds. Although the disco-era rhythms certainly add a bit of nostalgia, at the center of The Manhattans is the sextet's deceptively complex...vocal blend."
The Manhattans was issued on CD in the U.S. in 2003 and was later reissued in 2010 by UK imprint Cherry Red Records in a double package alongside the group's other most successful album, 1980's After Midnight.
The Manhattans
The Manhattans are an American popular R&B vocal group, with a string of hit records spanning four decades. Their best known million-selling songs being "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and 'Shining Star' in 1980...
, released in 1976 on the Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
label. The Manhattans was the group's third Columbia album; the previous two (There's No Me Without You and That's How Much I Love You) had sold respectably to the R&B market, but failed to garner any significant crossover attention. The Manhattans however went on to become commercially the most successful album of the group's career, peaking at #16 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and #6 on the R&B listings
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
.
With seven of the ten tracks recorded at the famed Sigma Sound Studios
Sigma Sound Studios
Sigma Sound Studios is an American music recording studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania founded by recording engineer Joseph Tarsia in 1968.Located at 212 N. 12th Street in Philadelphia, it was the second studio in the country to offer 24-track recording and the first in the country to use console...
in Philadelphia, the album is, in terms of vocal style and production, very much in the elegant, slick and sophisticated tradition of the premier male Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
vocal groups of the early-to-mid 1970s, such as The Delfonics
The Delfonics
The Delfonics are a pioneering Philadelphia soul singing group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include "La-La ", "Didn't I ", "Break Your Promise," "I'm Sorry," and "Ready or Not Here I Come "...
and Blue Magic
Blue Magic
Blue Magic can refer to:* Blue Magic , a R&B and soul music vocal quintet.*"Blue Magic" , a song from rapper Jay-Z's album American Gangster...
, although the influence of the then burgeoning disco sound is also evident on the more uptempo tracks such as "Searching for Love". The album's commercial success was driven by the release of the single "Kiss and Say Goodbye
Kiss and Say Goodbye
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. The song was written by Manhattans member Winfred "Blue" Lovett...
", which took off immediately in all markets and became the group's signature song. With its distinctive 60-second spoken introduction by Winfred "Blue" Lovett (also the writer of the song), the single (edited by almost a minute from the album version) topped the R&B chart
R&B number-one hits of 1976 (USA)
These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1976:See also: 1976 in music, List of number-one R&B hits -Chart comparisons:*Seven songs went to number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
for one week in May 1976, then crossed over into the pop market and also spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in July. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" also became a major hit in the UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, reaching #4 and pushing the album into the top 40
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. Later in 1976, the single "Hurt" – a cover of a song which had previously been a hit for Roy Hamilton
Roy Hamilton
Roy Hamilton was an American singer, who achieved major success in the US R&B and pop charts in the 1950s...
and Timi Yuro
Timi Yuro
Timi Yuro was an American soul and R&B singer. She is considered to be one of the first blue-eyed soul stylists of the rock era.-Early years:...
in 1954 and 1961 respectively – also rose to #4 in the UK, despite having barely scraped into the top 100 in the U.S. when released there in late 1975.
The album has maintained its critical reputation for consistently strong material, production values and vocal expertise. Allmusic's Lindsay Planer states: "Under the direction of Philly groove master Bobby Martin, the group utilizes its streetwise doo-wop delivery on a mixed bag of sounds. These include uptempo numbers...as well as orchestrated sounds. Although the disco-era rhythms certainly add a bit of nostalgia, at the center of The Manhattans is the sextet's deceptively complex...vocal blend."
The Manhattans was issued on CD in the U.S. in 2003 and was later reissued in 2010 by UK imprint Cherry Red Records in a double package alongside the group's other most successful album, 1980's After Midnight.
Track listing
- "Searching for Love" (Allan Felder, Mikki Farrow, Bruce Gray) – 4:38
- "We'll Have Forever to Love" (Edward "Sonny" Bivins) – 3:07
- "Take It or Leave It" (B. Weisman, Evie Sands, Richard Germinaro) – 3:17
- "Reasons" (Maurice WhiteMaurice WhiteMaurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
, Phil BaileyPhil BaileyPhil Bailey is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the European Super League competition. Bailey is a former player for New South Wales and Australia. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Northern Eagles...
, Charles StepneyCharles StepneyCharles Stepney was a producer, arranger, songwriter and musician famous for his Orchestral Psychedelic soul sound with Chicago's Cadet/Chess records in the 1960s/1970s and afterwards with Earth, Wind & Fire....
) – 3:27 - "How Can Anything So Bad Be So Good For You?" (Winfred "Blue" Lovett) – 3:08
- "Hurt" (Al Jacobs, Jimmie Crane) – 3:01
- "Wonderful World of Love" (Robert S. Riley, Sr.) – 2:46
- "If You're Ever Gonna Leave Me" (Frank L. Johnson) – 3:07
- "La La La Wish Upon a Star" (Teddy RandazzoTeddy RandazzoTeddy Randazzo was a NYC born pop songwriter who composed 1960s hit songs such as "Goin' Out of My Head", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", and "Hurt So Bad"...
, Vargus Pike, Roger Joyce) – 3:24 - "Kiss and Say GoodbyeKiss and Say Goodbye"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. The song was written by Manhattans member Winfred "Blue" Lovett...
" (Winfred "Blue" Lovett) – 4:29
Singles
- "Kiss and Say Goodbye" (US Pop #1, US R&B #1, UK #4)
- "Hurt" (US Pop #97, US R&B #10, UK #4)