Collectors' Items

by The O'Jays

Overview

Collectors' Items is an O'Jays compilation with a narrow range (basically 1972-76), a contradictory title, and odd sequencing, but a parade of huge hits that make up for any of its other faults. Using two LPs (or one CD, in its digital incarnation) to collect songs from only six albums, the set has plenty of room to anthologize all of the smooth Philly soul trio's biggest singles from the early- to mid-'70s: "Love Train," "Back Stabbers," "I Love Music," "Give the People What They Want," "Livin' for the Weekend." Even though all of the songs that had to be here are here, a few bizarre choices make this less than the definitive compilation of their time: why take "Sunshine" from 1972's Back Stabbers, but not the far superior "Time to Get Down" or "992 Arguments" (or both)? Why use "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love)" from 1976's Message in Our Music, but not the gorgeous title track? These few questionable decisions aside, Collectors' Items delivers exactly what fans expect, and there is actually one item for the collectors: a previously unreleased cover of "Wildflower," a recent hit for the Canadian group Skylark as well as the New Birth. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	01/01/1991
Label:	Philadelphia International/Emi
UPC:	0074643502429

Tracks

1. Family Reunion
2. Survival
3. Give the People What They Want
4. Let Me Make Love to You
5. I Love Music
6. Stairway to Heaven
7. Back Stabbers
8. For the Love of Money
9. Sunshine
10. You Got Your Hooks in Me
11. Love Train
12. Livin' for the Weekend
13. Wildflower
14. Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The O'Jays   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Ron Harris   Photography
Kenny Gamble   Producer,Composer
Gene McFadden   Composer
Cary Gilbert   Composer
Jay Mark   Engineer
John Whitehead   Composer
Dennis Edwards   Composer
Joe Tarsia   Engineer
David Richardson   Composer
Peter Humphreys   Assistant Engineer
Phil Hurtt   Composer
Jim Gallagher   Assistant Engineer
Arthur Stoppe   Engineer
Thom Bell   Arranger
Michael Hutchinson   Assistant Engineer
Leon Huff   Composer,Producer
Norman Harris   Arranger
Anthony Jackson   Composer
Bunny Sigler   Composer
Dennis Williams   Arranger
Nick Faciano   Artwork
Bobby Martin   Arranger,Producer
Alfred Felder   Composer
Ed Lee   Design
Allan Felder   Composer