Could it be you're falling in love?
Tomorrow, just three months before their long-awaited induction into the 2023 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the world-renowned Spinners will be celebrated by Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records with The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979. This definitive 2-CD anthology presents every one of the quintet's beloved A- and B-sides helmed by Thom Bell on Atlantic Records during that halcyon period-with each and every song in its original single version.
With six Grammy Award nominations, eighteen Gold and Platinum albums, twenty top 40 Pop singles, and both Pop and R&B chart-toppers, The Spinners more than earned their place in pantheon of American popular song. Working with songwriter-producer-arranger-conductor Thom Bell, the five-man group consisting of Philippé Wynne, Bobbie Smith, Henry Fambrough, Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson (and later, John Edwards) came to define the sound of smooth and sophisticated Philadelphia soul in the 1970s even as they paved the way for disco. With Bell's singular arrangements and the unmistakable musicianship of MFSB supporting them, The Spinners delivered rich, textured harmonies on hit after hit including "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "One of a Kind (Love Affair)," "Sadie," "The Rubberband Man," and the No. 1 duet "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick. From soul and pop to funk and dance, The Spinners transcended the tag of R&B to make a style all their own.
The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979 features the timeless songs which are the cornerstone of the group's legacy, for a total of 43 mighty tracks on 2 CDs, including 19 Pop hits and 22 R&B hits. More than half of these are unique edits. Most are new to CD, and all are freshly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision from new transfers of the original single master tapes. Note that the 12-inch single of "If You Wanna Do a Dance" has not been included for timing reasons, while the previously-unavailable-on-CD short promotional edit of "I Love the Music" has been included instead of the commercially issued version which mirrors the readily-available album version. Finally, the "censored" New Version of "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" has been included as a bonus track.
The collection includes a deluxe 28-page booklet with rare photos and memorabilia. The track-by-track liner notes from The Second Disc's Joe Marchese draw on a new interview with the last surviving member of the classic Spinners lineup, Henry Fambrough, as well as an unpublished interview with the late Thom Bell. Joe also contributes a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Bell, who was a good friend. The package has been designed by Bill Pitzonka.
Spinners' Complete Atlantic Singles is a "One of a Kind" collection for the ages...truly the pinnacle of sweet '70s soul! Look for it from TSD and Real Gone Music tomorrow, August 4. You'll find order links (directly from the label and at Amazon) and the full track listing below.
Spinners, The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979 (Real Gone Music/Second Disc Records RGM-1604, 2023) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
CD 1
- How Could I Let You Get Away (Atlantic single 2904, 1972)
- I'll Be Around (Atlantic single 2904, 1972)
- Could It Be I'm Falling in Love (Atlantic single 2927, 1972)
- Just You and Me Baby (Atlantic single 2927, 1972)
- One of a Kind (Love Affair) (Atlantic single 2962, 1973)
- Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You (Atlantic single 2962, 1973)
- Ghetto Child (Atlantic single 2973, 1973)
- We Belong Together (Atlantic single 2973, 1973)
- Mighty Love Pt. I (Atlantic single 3006, 1974)
- Mighty Love Pt. II (Atlantic single 3006, 1974)
- I'm Coming Home (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3027, 1974)
- He'll Never Love You Like I Do (Atlantic single 3027, 1974)
- Then Came You - with Dionne Warwick (Atlantic single 3029, 1974)
- Just as Long as We Have Love - with Dionne Warwick (Atlantic single 3029, 1974)
- Love Don't Love Nobody Pt. I (Atlantic single 3206, 1974)
- Love Don't Love Nobody Pt. II (Atlantic single 3206, 1974)
- Living a Little, Laughing a Little (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3252, 1975)
- Smile, We Have Each Other (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3252, 1975)
- Sadie (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3268, 1975)
- Lazy Susan (Atlantic single 3268, 1975)
- They Just Can't Stop It (The Games People Play) (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3284, 1975)
- I Don't Want to Lose You (Atlantic single 3284, 1975)
CD 2
- Love or Leave (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3309, 1975)
- You Made a Promise to Me (Atlantic single 3309, 1975)
- Wake Up Susan (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3341, 1976)
- If You Can't Be in Love (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3341, 1976)
- The Rubberband Man (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3355, 1976)
- Now That We're Together (Atlantic single 3355, 1976)
- You're Throwing a Good Love Away (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3382, 1976)
- You're All I Need in Life (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3382, 1976)
- Me and My Music (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3400, 1977)
- I'm Riding Your Shadow (Down to Love) (Atlantic single 3400, 1977)
- Heaven on Earth (So Fine) (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3425, 1977)
- I'm Tired of Giving (Atlantic single 3425, 1977)
- Easy Come, Easy Go (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3462, 1978)
- (Love Is) One Step Away (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3462, 1978)
- If You Wanna Do a Dance (All Night) (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3493, 1978)
- Once in a Life Proposal (Atlantic single 3493, 1978)
- Are You Ready for Love (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3546, 1979)
- Once You Fall in Love (Single Version) (Atlantic single 3546, 1979)
- I Love the Music (Short Version) (Atlantic promotional single 3590, 1979)
- Don't Let the Man Get You (Atlantic single 3590, 1979)
- One of a Kind (Love Affair) (New Version) (Bonus Track) (Atlantic single 2962 (second pressing), 1973)
Mark H. says
Got this 8 days early by ordering from Real Gone. Great package!
Joe Marchese says
Thanks, Mark!
Tom M. says
Amazon is selling this two CD set for $45.00. I think I’ll pass.
Joe Marchese says
Just FYI: The price directly from Real Gone Music is considerably lower.
Tom M. says
Thanks for the tip, Joe!
steve s says
Mine arrives tomorrow! Can't wait!
RichD says
Amazing sound quality !! My set arrived last Friday - great price / great set !!
Joe Marchese says
Many thanks, Rich!
Larry Davis says
As good as this set is, Cherry Red is releasing an 8CD complete Atlantic albums box around this time as well, so it looks like we have a choice...a singles package or the albums one...or both...
BillyD says
Yeah the box looks a lot better. Plus there are a lot of extras including some single mixes
Joe Marchese says
I worked on both the Real Gone/Second Disc singles collection and the SoulMusic/Cherry Red albums box, and they're very different packages. While there is indeed some overlap, I feel that they're complementary to one another and I hope longtime fans and collectors will enjoy both.
Robert Lett says
I will be getting both.
Galley says
I ordered this and the Donnas Early Singles collection directly from Real Gone.
Bill Tress says
Great liner notes Joe! Enjoyed listening to the B-sides as well as the hits. After close to 50 years, I finally know what "lo non andre mai" means (verse from "You Made a Promise to Me").
Especially enjoyed reading your heartfelt tribute to Thom Bell. His impeccable arrangements are soothing and pleasurable to hear. There will never be another Thom but his music will live on forever!
Joe Marchese says
Thanks, Bill. I truly appreciate your kind words and am so happy you're enjoying the set!