The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles.
Survival is a 1975 album by American R&B group The O’Jays, released on the Philadelphia International Records label.
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 title tune provides a great example of the latter. A driving funk approach provides the perfect platform for the group to deliver its gritty vocals, which effectively convey the sense of desperation inside a man “busted, walkin’ around broke.”
“Rich Get Richer” also provides sentiments the man in the street could relate to — and still can. One of the best things the O’Jays do throughout the album is tell real, down-to-earth stories, and this tune rises above a diatribe with these great lines: “There’s an old friend of mine/He’s doin’ good, real good, as a matter of fact/He don’t know me now/But I can take him way, way, way back.” Great stuff.
Like all the great Philly groups, the O’Jays had a way with a ballad and could put tons of genuine emotion into the simplest lyrics. They weren’t afraid of romance, but they didn’t lapse into sappiness either: check out the straightforward “Let Me Love to You,” or the plaintive “What Am I Waiting For,” both of which combine well-crafted production with completely convincing and compelling vocals.
One finds a dated element or two in listening to this now 28-year-old album, but these are easily outweighed by the group’s pinpoint vocals, flawless arrangements and commitment to a musical concept. Recommended for those who were there and would like to relive it as well as for those coming to it for the first time. The old becomes new again.
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. Survival includes the R&B chart-topping single “Give the People What They Want” and “Let Me Make Love to You”, which reached #10 on the same chart. Survival matched exactly the chart performance of its predecessor Ship Ahoy, topping the R&B chart.
1. “Give the People What They Want” (4:14)
2. “Let Me Make Love to You” (Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder) (4:21 )
3. “Survival” (3:44)
4. “Where Did We Go Wrong” (3:40)
5. “Rich Get Richer” (4:24)
6. “How Time Flies” (5:15)
7. “What Am I Waiting For” (Sigler, Ron Tyson) (3:56)
8. “Never Break Us Up” (Huff) (3:18)
All songs written and composed by Gamble and Huff, except where noted.
Credits
Notes
Released: April 1975
Recorded 1974 at: Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mastered at the Frankford/Wayne Recording Labs, Philadelphia, PA.
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Philadelphia Soul
Length: 32:52
© 1975
Label - Philadelphia International Records
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 title tune provides a great example of the latter. A driving funk approach provides the perfect platform for the group to deliver its gritty vocals, which effectively convey the sense of desperation inside a man “busted, walkin’ around broke.”
“Rich Get Richer” also provides sentiments the man in the street could relate to — and still can. One of the best things the O’Jays do throughout the album is tell real, down-to-earth stories, and this tune rises above a diatribe with these great lines: “There’s an old friend of mine/He’s doin’ good, real good, as a matter of fact/He don’t know me now/But I can take him way, way, way back.” Great stuff.
Like all the great Philly groups, the O’Jays had a way with a ballad and could put tons of genuine emotion into the simplest lyrics. They weren’t afraid of romance, but they didn’t lapse into sappiness either: check out the straightforward “Let Me Love to You,” or the plaintive “What Am I Waiting For,” both of which combine well-crafted production with completely convincing and compelling vocals.
One finds a dated element or two in listening to this now 28-year-old album, but these are easily outweighed by the group’s pinpoint vocals, flawless arrangements and commitment to a musical concept. Recommended for those who were there and would like to relive it as well as for those coming to it for the first time. The old becomes new again.
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. Survival includes the R&B chart-topping single “Give the People What They Want” and “Let Me Make Love to You”, which reached #10 on the same chart. Survival matched exactly the chart performance of its predecessor Ship Ahoy, topping the R&B chart.
1. “Give the People What They Want” (4:14)
2. “Let Me Make Love to You” (Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder) (4:21 )
3. “Survival” (3:44)
4. “Where Did We Go Wrong” (3:40)
5. “Rich Get Richer” (4:24)
6. “How Time Flies” (5:15)
7. “What Am I Waiting For” (Sigler, Ron Tyson) (3:56)
8. “Never Break Us Up” (Huff) (3:18)
All songs written and composed by Gamble and Huff, except where noted.
Credits
- Arranged By – Bobby Martin
- Artwork – Jose Gerson
- Design – Ed Lee
- Engineer – Joe Tarsia
- Music By – MFSB
- Photography By – Don Hunstein
- Producer – Gamble-Huff
Released: April 1975
Recorded 1974 at: Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mastered at the Frankford/Wayne Recording Labs, Philadelphia, PA.
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Philadelphia Soul
Length: 32:52
© 1975
Label - Philadelphia International Records
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