Bell's soaring melodies and lush arrangements met Creed's words (and Thompkins' voice) head on. You hear the painful chance meeting that wasn't in "You Are Everything," the synthesized winter chill starting "People Make The World Go Round," the soul daydreaming in "I'm Stone In Love With You," the dramatic, expansive introduction to Airrion Love's gentle first verse on "You Make Me Feel Brand New." None of this was new to fans of romantic harmony music the previous 30 years; in other hands it might well have been considered schmaltzy and too pop. But the Stylistics and their collaborators updated the ingredients to the lives they led, and town (Philadelphia) they lived and worked in. That explains the music's timelessness, even to Prince's tribute cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow."

This collection misses an important hit, "Stop, Look, Listen," and the group needs a career-spanning compilation. Even so, this early "Best of The Stylistics" chronicles more than the best of one classic soul group. It ranks among the best of a time, a city, and a legendary musical team, and is recommended for fans of each.


Some awesome tracks, but the others disapoint...   December 29, 1998
14 out of 18 found this review helpful

If the album only contained tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9, it'd be close to perfect. These classics, such as "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Betcha By Golly, Wow," and "You Are Everything," never fail to bring back memories and, quite honestly, give me chills. "Break Up To Make Up" and "I'm Stone in Love With You" are just as good. Unfortunately, the others aren't. If you really want a unforgettable music experience, buy this album, a five disc progrmmable CD changer, and four other favorites such as Smokey Robinson's and the Tempation's "Ultimate Collection" or Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1," and program out the other five forgettable tracks on the Stylistic's album, and you're set.


WONDERFUL!!!!!   September 5, 2004
A. R SCOTT (Houston, Texas)
13 out of 19 found this review helpful

ALL, I CAN SAY IS THAT I LOVE THIS WHOLE CD. I LOVE ALL OF THE STYLISTICS MUSIC. THEY MADE GOOD MUSIC IN THE 70'S AND THIS MUSIC IS LOVED BY NEW GENERATIONS AND MANY TO COME. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT GOOD MUSIC IS HERE TO STAY AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS; SOME OF THESE NEW SCHOOLERS NEED TO SIT BACK A TAKE SOME NOTES FROM THESE GUYS; BECAUSE THESE GUYS SHOW HOW IT NEEDS TO BE DON AND HOW IT SHOUD BE DONE. THEREFORE, IF YOU ENJOYED THE STYLISTICS IN THE 70'S AND IF YOU LIKD OLD SKOOL MUSIC THEN THEREFORE I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUY THIS CD.


Quality Never Goes Out Of Style   April 30, 2006
El Lagarto (Ambler, PA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Certain soul groups are so smooth and beautiful to the ear that they reach way inside to a pleasure center that doesn't get tickled any other way. The Delfoncis come to mind, and so do the Stylistics. Both groups came from Philly, and both were backed by producer Thom Bell who relied on lyrics from Linda Creed. Both featured soaring falsettos, in the case of the Stylistics it was Russell Thompkins who led the way. While ultimately the Stylistics did not have the staying power the Delphonics would enjoy, their highs were just as high and they left us with some pop standards that will never go out of style.

As long as there is romance, there will be reason enough to put on the Stylistics, and this CD delivers the "must-have" cuts in one neat package. Their anthem, People Make The World Go Round, sounds as fresh, sweet, and relevant today as when it was released. Betcha By Golly, Wow says what every lover wants to say and every lover wants to hear. Break Up To Make Up is bittersweet stuff, stinging with truth. You Are Everything is another ballad of crystalline beauty, as is Let's Put It All Together. Even the second-best songs on this disc were big hits in their day; this is a highly select offering. Everybody likes to rock out and everybody likes to Wang Chung, but if there's a part of you that resonates with the gentle vulnerability of love offered up like a flower, you will find that this music wraps you like a warm coat in winter and a welcome breeze in summer. Betcha by golly, wow, you're the one that I've been waiting for.