The Manhattans - I Kinda Miss You (The Anthology: Columbia Records 1973-87) (Remastered, 2017) 2CD

• SoulMusic Records is very proud to present “I Kinda Miss You – The Anthology: Columbia Records,1973-87,” a spectacular first-of-its-kind 2-CD set by the legendary Manhattans that includes all of the soulful group’s charted singles recorded for the label over almost fifteen years along with choice cuts from the dozen albums the team cut and one non-LP ‘B’ side (‘Gypsy Man’).

• Formed in the late ‘50s by original members Winfred ‘Blue’ Lovett, Edward ‘Sonny’ Bivins and Richard Taylor, The Manhattans enjoyed some success with Carnival Records in 1965, before switching to DeLuxe Records where (with Gerald Alston as lead singer), they had their first Top 10 hit in 1972 with ‘One Life To Life.’

• Moving to Columbia Records in 1973, The Manhattans began a run of hit singles and best-selling albums that started with the classic ballad, ‘There’s No Me Without You’ and ended 1979’s upbeat ‘All I Need.’ Disc One of this very satisfying anthology traces the group’s stellar work primarily with Philadelphia soul producer Bobby Martin and includes the No. 1 international hit, ‘Kiss And Say Goodbye’ along with amazing ballads such as ‘It Feels So Good To Be Loved By You,’ ‘We Never Danced To A Love Song’ and ‘I Kinda Miss You.’ Other standouts include the group’s version of Billy Joel’s ‘Everybody Has A Dream,’ ‘Here Comes The Hurt Again’ and a medley of ‘The Way We Were’ with The Temptations’ “Memories.”

• Disc Two focuses on the group’s work with various producers including Chicago-based Leo Graham, responsible for the massive hit ‘Shining Star’; Morrie Brown who provided ‘Crazy,’ a US and UK charted hit; and soul legend Bobby Womack who produced ‘Where Did We Go Wrong’ featuring future hit-maker, Regina Belle. Highlights also include the original of Sam Dees’ ‘Just The Lonely Talking Again’ (later a hit for Whitney Houston) and the hidden gem, ‘Cloudy, With A Chance Of Tears.’