Song:Lovin' You
Album:Love Train: The Best of The O'Jays
The O'Jays are one of the most durable vocal groups of all time. They are still around. Though they are mainly known for 70s hits like Back Stabbers and Love Train, they continued to have chart success into the 90s. And these later hits are frequently overlooked by fans and record labels tend not to put them on comps. Lovin' You was a number one R & B hit in 1987. It was The O'Jays final hit single with legendary producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. By this time, The O'Jays were a trio. After William Powell died of cancer at age 35 in 1977, he was replaced by former Anthony and the Imperials member Sammy Strain. Of course the core of the group continued to be Eddie Levert Sr. and Walter Williams. Though The O'Jays final top ten pop hit was Use Ta Be My Girl in 1978, they continued to have success on the R & B charts with hits like Forever Mine and Girl, Don't Let It Get You Down. They declined in the 80s and I guess they thought they were getting stale with Gamble and Huff. At the urging of Levert's sons Gerald Levert and Eddie Levert Jr., they decided to leave Philadelphia International for Capitol. The 1987 album Let Me Touch You was The O'Jays final album for Gamble and Huff. Lovin' You topped the R & B Singles chart. It was their first number one hit in a decade. You might think they would have second thoughts after that. But they did switch to Capitol and The O'Jays began producing themselves. Lovin' You is a great song that is frequently overlooked on O'Jays comps. You can get it on this 2CD comp from the British label Music Club. The O'Jays had a good early 90s run on Capitol. They still tour and they are worth checking out if they are coming your way. Here are The O'Jays performing Lovin' You on The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers 1987.
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