O'Jays – Back Stabbers (1972, Funk) 320

When The World's At Peace
Back Stabbers
Who Am I
(They Call Me) Mr. Lucky
Time To Get Down
992 Arguments
Listen To The Clock On The Wall
Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People
Sunshine
Love Train

The most finest Phillys finest.

320

A major turning point for the O'Jays, Back Stabbers took the group to the top of the charts and made them household names in the R&B world. The O'Jays had been paying serious dues since the late '50s, and their perseverance payed off in a major way when the unsettling title song, the infectious "Time to Get Down," and the uplifting "Love Train" became their biggest hits up to that point. Indeed, this album did more than its part to help establish Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records as the most successful soul label since Stax and Motown.

The O'Jays – Survival (1975, Funk)

Give The People What They Want 4:14
Let Me Make Love To You 4:21
Survival 3:44
Where Did We Go Wrong 3:40
Rich Get Richer 4:24
How Time Flies 5:15
What Am I Waiting For 3:56
Never Break Us Up 3:18

320

The O'Jays followed the spectacular Backstabbers and Ship Ahoy with the good, but not on the same level, Survival. It was unrealistic to expect masterpieces every time out, and the LP included many strong ballads and good message tracks. But while it may not have been as epic in its performances and compositions, it was certainly the other albums' equal in sales strength. The group had two number one R&B hits in 1975, "Give The People What They Want" and "I Love Music (Part 1)." In addition, the title track made the charts as the B-side to "Let Me Make Love To You," another rousing ballad.