b
The Persuaders
' sexy and smooth
R&B
vocals often have the quartet linked to the prolific
Philly soul
movement of the 1970s. However, the combo's lineage is actually rooted in New York City where siblings
Richard Poindexter
and
Robert Poindexter
scored sides for the likes of
Linda Jones
(
"Hypnotized"
) and -- making that all-important connection to the City of Brotherly Love --
the O'Jays
"I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow"
). Rounding out the inaugural lineup were
Doug "Smokey" Scott
James "B.J." Barnes
, who hailed from the
Poindexters
' hometown of Newport News, VA. As fate would have it, they initially had a hard time selling
"Thin Line Between Love & Hate"
-- which would go on to become their biggest hit and the title track of this, their 1972 debut LP. Ultimately, not only did the
Atlantic Records
subsidiary
Atco
issue the side, they were offered their own
Win Or Lose Records
vanity imprint. Instrumentally augmenting
the Persuaders
' unified voices are the tight and compact combo of
Angel Luis Panaiagua, Jr
. (guitar),
Paul Young
(vibraphone),
Harry "Al" Giscombe
(bass), and
Leroy Quick
(drums). The powerful
"Thin Line Between Love and Hate"
commences the album blending
Scott
's empathetic falsetto with an
O. Henry
-esque twist behind the otherwise dark tale of domestic abuse. The lax and conversational
"Let's Get Down Together"
bears a sonic similarity to
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
' classic
"If You Don't Know Me by Now."
Beneath an easy and expressive
waltz
, the tune is filled with lyrical asides such as "Ooh Girl, I like what I see..." and "I'd like to paint your wagon, baby...." The underlying message of
"Blood Brothers"
certainly takes root in the "street cred" unity that had been an influential factor in the
' formative years. To modern ears the overt sense of Black Pride may seem alternately passe, or to some, perhaps unsettling. Yet within the context of the late '60s and early '70s, the tune's positive message and unifying reinforcement is perfectly in sync with the times. The slippery backbeat of
"You Musta Put Something in Your Love"
is driven by a spellbinding
Stax
feel. The lead vocal trade-offs recall the inspired interplay of
Sam & Dave
's double dynamite routine.
' spacious harmonies are again front and center, ably supporting
's heartfelt pleas on the rhythmically syncopated
"Thanks for Loving Me."
Sly and surreptitious -- not to mention downright funky --
"Love Gonna Pack Up (And Walk Out)"
was the second side from the LP to make it into the Top Ten
Singles chart. It was followed by the poignant ballad
"If This Is What You Call Love (I Don't Want No Part of It)"
-- which landed at a respectable number 27 -- although neither made an impact on the
pop
survey. Equally worthy of spins are deeper cuts
"Mr. Sunshine"
and the rousing upbeat
"Thigh Spy,"
which pulls a page out of
Sly Stone
's coalescing of
rock & roll
with
funk
. In 2007,
Collectors' Choice Music
combined
Thin Line Between Love and Hate
(1971) with
' eponymous platter -- making the latter available on CD for the first time. ~ Lindsay Planer