Bunny Sigler's
Keep Smilin' LP was rush-released to capitalize on the fast-breaking (fast-selling) title track single. Several tracks on
Keep Smilin' were first included on
That's How Long I'll Be Loving You released earlier that year. The Philly soul singer/songwriter/producer was trying to quickly follow up his Top 30 R&B churchy ballad cover version of
The O'Jays gold hit,
"Love Train." The difference between the two albums is the outstanding two tracks that feature
Instant Funk:
"Keep Smilin',,""Sweeter Than the Berry." Co-written by
Sigler and
Allan Felder,the pumpin'
"Keep Smilin'," is one of
Sigler's best.)
Sigler later produced a cover of the tune on guitarist
Gabor Szabo for his
Szabo's excellent 1976
Mercury LP,
Nightflight with that version becoming a steppers classic. The bluesy
"Sweeter Than the Berry," has punching horns and a nassty break that features
Sigler,bassist
Raymond Earl and the late-night wailing sax of
Sam Peake. Another single, the thumpin', brassy, fun-filled
"Shake Your Booty," was starting to gain interest before it was quelled by protest over its title. Oddly, no such protest was waged against the similarly titled
"Shake Your Booty."
Several of the album's tracks can be found on 1996
Sony Legacy CD
The Best of Bunny Sigler: Sweeter Than the Berry and on the 1998
Sony CD,
Bunny Sigler and the 1997
Sony CD set
Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff & the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976). ~ Ed Hogan
