eMusic Review 0
Some artists were made to age gracefully. The Manhattans, who began singing doo-wop in the early ’60s, had become one of R&B’s smoothest units by the time this compilation of their work for Columbia Records in the ’70s came out, and by trustworthy account, the touring group was still kicking ass on casino stages deep into the ’00s. Professionalism, especially past what for most of us is retiring age, is no small thing. It no doubt helps that the Manhattans’ commercial zenith wasn’t fast. Greatest Hits leads off with the mellow funk of “I’ll Never Find Another (Find Another Like You),” the speediest thing on it. Nothing goes faster than mid-tempo; most of it is given to ballads. And most of them are killer: this is one of R&B’s all-time slow-jam albums.
“Shining Star” is an instant wedding standard, as sparkling the hundredth time as the first, thanks as much to a surprisingly protuberant popping bass as the sweet-not-saccharine tune. “We Never Danced to a Love Song” is a top-class let’s-straighten-out-our-love plea. But the pinnacle is “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” one of the most glorious No. 1 hits ever recorded: the basso-profundo spoken intro of the gods (not even Barry… read more »
