{"product_id":"the-stylistics-you-are-beautiful","title":"The Stylistics – You Are Beautiful","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Stylistics – You Are Beautiful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eA classic slice of mid-1970s Philadelphia soul, The Stylistics – You Are Beautiful finds one of the era's most distinctive vocal groups continuing their run of sophisticated R\u0026amp;B and soul releases. Originally released in 1975 on Avco, the album combines the group's trademark harmonies and Russell Thompkins Jr.'s unmistakable falsetto with a more rhythm-driven sound incorporating elements of funk and disco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eBy the time \u003cem\u003eYou Are Beautiful\u003c\/em\u003e arrived, The Stylistics had already established themselves as one of the defining groups of the Philadelphia soul movement. Their early records, shaped by the celebrated songwriting and production partnership of Thom Bell and Linda Creed, had produced a succession of major soul and pop hits. This 1975 album represents a later chapter in the group's Avco period, with production credited to Hugo \u0026amp; Luigi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe album opens with “Funky Weekend”, one of its most overtly groove-focused performances. The track was also released as a single and demonstrates the group's move towards the funk and dance-oriented sounds becoming increasingly prominent in soul music during the mid-1970s. “Jenny,” “That Don't Shake Me,” “Na-Na Is The Saddest Word” and “Michael Or Me” continue the first side with a mixture of romantic soul, polished arrangements and the group's instantly recognisable vocal style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eSide B begins with “The Day The Clown Came To Town”, followed by the album's title track, “You Are Beautiful.” The remainder of the side — “To Save My Rock 'n' Roll Soul,” “If You Are There” and “We Just Can't Help It” — showcases the group's ability to move between smoother ballad material and more rhythmically driven arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou Are Beautiful\u003c\/em\u003e is also an interesting record historically because it arrived during a period of transition for The Stylistics. Their hugely successful early-70s formula was evolving, and the group was increasingly incorporating contemporary funk and dance influences into their established smooth-soul sound. The album consequently offers an intriguing snapshot of the group as Philadelphia soul was moving towards the disco era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe album was released in the UK as Avco 9109 006 in November 1975, while the record's US release appeared on Avco earlier that year. It reached No. 26 on the UK Albums Chart, continuing The Stylistics' considerable popularity with British audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eFor collectors of The Stylistics, Philly soul, Philadelphia soul, 1970s R\u0026amp;B, smooth soul and classic funk\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou Are Beautiful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an appealing example of the group's mid-70s sound. With its combination of sophisticated vocal harmonies, Russell Thompkins Jr.'s signature falsetto and increasingly danceable arrangements, it captures The Stylistics at an important point in their evolution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFunky Weekend – 3:27\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJenny – 3:46\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat Don't Shake Me – 3:15\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNa-Na Is The Saddest World – 2:58\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichael Or Me – 3:39\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Day The Clown Came To Town – 3:02\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou Are Beautiful – 4:08\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo Save My Rock 'n' Roll Soul – 3:01\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf You Are There – 3:21\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe Just Can't Help It – 3:31\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LIXA4D1kJmU?si=GnabcO4PftaGw_rh\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Avco Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55192455283030,"sku":"9109 006","price":3.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_69af4bf6-541a-469a-ac6e-9bb9b71da490.jpg?v=1788440858","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/the-stylistics-you-are-beautiful","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}