The Manhattans Kiss And Say Goodbye: The Best of The Manhattans

The Manhattans: Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Gerald "Smut" Alston, Abdul Rashid Talhah [Richard Taylor], Kenneth "Wally" Kelly, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, (vocals).

Additional personnel includes: Bobby Martin, Bert DeCoteaux, Teddy Randazzo (arrangers); James Mack (arranger, piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano); Norman Harris, Bobby Eli, Roland Chambers, Byron Gregory, Ira Siegel, Keith Henderson, Danny Leake (guitar); Chris Cioe (saxophone); Ron Kersey, Theodis Rodgers (piano); Larry Pakula (organ); Lloyd Landesman (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Terry Fryer (keyboards); Ed Tossing (synthesizer); Steve Goldman (synthesizer, percussion); Vince Montana (vibraphone); Ronnie Baker, Paul Richmond, Russell Keating (bass); Earl Young, Morris Jennings, Jr. (drums); Larry Washington (conga); Bobby Christian (percussion); Morrie Brown (programming); Don Renaldo.

Producers: Bobby Martin, The Manhattans (tracks 1-7, 9-12, 19); Bert DeCoteaux, The Manhattans (track 8); Leo Graham (tracks 13-16); Leo Graham, Morrie Brown, Joe McEwen (track 17); Morrie Brown (track 18).

Compilation producer: Leo Sacks.

Engineers: Kenny Present (tracks 1-2, 7); Don Meehan (track 8); Bob Hughs (tracks 11-12, 19); Stuart Walder (tracks 14-16); Stuart Walder, Mike Ferraro, Steve Goldman, Steve Addabbo (track 17); Steve Goldman (track 18).

Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Total Experience Sound Studios, Hollywood, California; Universal Studios, Chicago, Illinois; Celestial Sounds and Columbia Recording Studios, New York. Includes liner notes by Virginia Millicent Prescott.

This is part of Legacy's Rhythm And Soul series.

Personnel: Edward "Sonny" Bivins, George "Smitty" Smith, Gerald Alston, Kenneth "Wally" Kelly, Richard Taylor , Winfred "Blue" Lovett (vocals); Danny Leake, Ira Siegel, Byron Gregory, Keith Henderson, Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli (guitar); Don Renaldo (strings, horns); Chris Cioe (saxophone); James Mack (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Theodis Rodgers, Theodis Rogers, Ron Kersey (piano); Terry Fryer (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Lenny Pakula (organ); Lloyd Landesman (keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming); Steve Goldman (synthesizer, percussion); Ed Tossing (synthesizer); Vince Montana (vibraphone); Morris Brown (drums, drum programming); Earl Young, Morris Jennings (drums); Larry Washington (congas); Bobby Christian (percussion).

Recording information: Celestial Sounds Recording Studio, New York, NY; Celestial Sounds, NY; Columbia Recording Studio, New York, NY; Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA; Total Experience Sound Studios, Hollywood, CA; Universal Studios, Chicago, IL.

Director: Adam Block .

Arrangers: James Mack; Bobby Martin ; Teddy Randazzo; Bert DeCoteaux.

The Best of the Manhattans: Kiss and Say Goodbye is a terrific, 19-song overview of the Manhattans' recordings for Columbia in the '70s. All but two of the group's Top Ten R&B hits for the label are featured -- there's no "We Never Danced to a Love Song" or "Crazy," but "There's No Me Without You," "Don't Take Your Love," "Hurt," "Kiss and Say Goodbye," "I Kinda Miss You," "It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad," "Am I Losing You," and "Shining Star" are all present -- and several fine lesser-known singles and album tracks are added for good measure. Although the collection might be a bit too extensive for casual fans, it's the definitive overview of the Manhattans' time as a smooth soul group, illustrating how they helped develop the quiet storm subgenre. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine