The Sylvers – Forever Yours (cassette)

The Sylvers 1978 release Forever Yours, for Leon Sylvers III 73rd birthday. This killer album was Leon’s final release with his family group for several years. First their label Capitol weren’t fond of their more mature musical direction, even though this album was recorded while still with them. Than their new label Casablanca had difficulty promoting this due to internal shakeups. But this happy turned out to be their most critically lauded album. And deservedly so if you ask me.

Devoid of any of their more kiddie soul styled songs of their Mizell brothers era, this was very much an extension of their previous album New Horizons in terms of updating their original soul funk approach. Among my favorites here are the stomping funk of “Don’t Stop, Get Off”, filled with Leon’s pounding slap bass, the sleek funky soul of “Play This One Last Record”, the sleek late 70s uptempo soul of “Love Changes and “Diamonds Are Rare” and the goosebump raising vocal harmonies of the title ballad.

Also enjoyed the ballads “Swept For You Baby” and “Come On Down To My House”, both of which have a Smokey Robinson like compositional style and the down the middle disco funk hybrid of “Come Dance With Me”. Realized re spinning this how strong the quiet storm ballads “Love Won’t Let Me Go” and “Just A Little Bit Longer” are too. From what I’ve personally heard from them, The Sylvers never quite matched their 1977-78 musical peak going forward. Which their labels supported them more because they really had something going here.

Label: Casablanca ‎– ZCCAN 2045

Country: UK

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)