The great Chicago soul sound of the early 1970s has seldom been better personified on wax than the recordings of The Independents. Protégés of soul giant Jerry Butler and one of the leading groups of their era, between 1972 and 1975 Chuck, Helen, Maurice, Eric and their (non-performing) fifth member Marvin made some of the best and most beautiful music to come out of the Windy City. They were rewarded for their music efforts by a string of Billboard R&B chart hits, most of which also reached the pop Hot 100 too. Much of the group's catalogue has never been available on CD. The material that has been previously digitized has been deleted for many years, with copies of that CD selling for up to £100. This CD marks the first time all their Wand recordings have appeared in the same collection, including two special remixes by Tom Moulton that were first issued, after the group broke up, on the renowned "Disco Gold" compilations. Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy went on to produce and write for many soul and pop artists - from Yancy's wife Natalie Cole to divas Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston - but as you will hear, they saved plenty of their best songs for their own group
U**E
ALL OF THE INDEPENDENTS WORK IN ONE PLACE
This is the CD I have long been waiting for, not only containing their entire first album but "It's All Over", "The First Time We Met" and "Arise and Shine (Let's Get it On)", in fact, everything they recorded as a group. Although I wasn't impressed with much of their material beyond the songs I mentioned, just to have those is well worth the price of having all of these songs in one place. Far more talented than the song "Leaving Me" (as Chuck Jackson & silent member Marvin Yancy's work as the force beyond Natalie Cole would prove), you will love "Just As Long As You Need Me", "I Just Want to Be There", "Baby I've Been Missing You", "Our Love Has Just Got To Come Together", "Can't Understand It", "It' All Over" and "The First Time We Met", although I though the "remix" of "I Love You, Yes I Do" was a waste and it would have been better to include the title cut from Chuck's solo release "Passsionate Breezes" instead but, as it was on the Capitol label, I guess that wasn't possible. Oh, and, for the record - though they recorded for the same label, this is not the Chuck Jackson famous for "I Don't Want To Cry" or "Any Day Now" - but, he is just as talented.
D**D
Where was this great group hiding?!
I'm always looking for "new" older recordings to discover or re-discover, and this was a group I had never heard before. I'm a huge fan of 1970s soul music, so this collection looked like it might be of interest to me. Well, this turned out to be even more than interesting. This is honest to goodness first-rate soul music, songs that shine and shimmer. To quote one of the song titles on this CD, why this group isn't better known, I "Can't Understand It".Being from Chicago, the Independents couldn't help but being influenced a bit by the Impressions and the old Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler sound, But they also forged their own style of soulful harmonies and the group's main songwriting team of Charles Jackson and Marvin Yancey penned some VERY good tunes. Smooth soul but sometimes with a funky, danceable groove too.Seeing as how this collection was reissued by Kent Records and compiled by Tony Rounce, you can rest assured that the quality of the music and the packaging is first rate. The CD comes with a 12-page booklet that includes a history of the group, some vintage photos and reproductions of the old single sleeves. The track listings include songwriting credits, song times, the recording dates. Such a shame that this group didn't last longer and make more records. But what we have on this collection is truly fabulous soul music! Discover and savor!
B**D
It's a good trip...
One of my favorite groups in the 70's. I Had the 45's when each hit came out . Started looking for "the best of" on CD, but couldn't find anything under $125 for a long time. Now I have it for the normal price of a cd. Good music. I play it for all my friends when they come over. We all take a trip back in time, every time.
D**.
*** LEAVING ME ***
THIS MUSIC TAKES ME BACK! I GIVE THIS MUSIC A 10..IT'S REALLY GOOD!!
C**N
This is when ballads of love hit it's peak
This is when ballads of love hit it's peak.Those people back then new how to love it was projected well in their sound!
A**R
wand
classic i mean classic.
A**R
Four Stars
Very good!
R**N
HISTORY: A Link To Natalie Cole
READ COMMENT ON: "The Independence" MONDEN FAMILY LIBRARY
M**R
So glad to be exposed to this great group- even if ...
This is yet another quality release by KENT. The Independents might have a less impressive chart career than many more successful/better known acts but the quality of the material, arrangements, musicianship and sublime vocal performances are the equal to others of the era. All killer no filler impressive from start to finish. So glad to be exposed to this great group- even if it has taken 40 years- thanks to You Tube and Amazon connecting soul fans with so much great "obscure" yet classic music- much of which was never originally released in the UK or heard on radio here. Another great addition to my collection.
K**R
Treasure chest of soul
Had a problem playing at first but cleaned CD and boy was it worthwhile a tremendous cd full of funk and soul brilliant vocals and real musicians at their best
R**T
... The Independents and I must admit I think it's great. I've played it a few times and I'm ...
I thought I try this CD of The Independents and I must admit I think it's great. I've played it a few times and I'm beginning to appreciate it a lot now. I'm very happy with it and I'll give it 10 out of 10! The CD is "Just As Long" The Complete Wand Recordings.
H**I
Three Stars
nice oldie
C**S
Many excellent songs here
A much under-rated soul group from the Golden Age of Soul. Many excellent songs here, and pristine production.
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1 month ago
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