The Sylvers (1972) I'll Never be Ashamed Again - LOST70SGEMS

 The Sylvers 1972 debut album contained some promising compositions, based around street wise doses of revved up pop soul. Their youthful rebellious vocals could be often be effervescent and sunny in the bubblegum soul numbers as well as ethereal and hypnotic in the ballads Their pinched falsettos and hippie-ish flower power exuberance was jarringly paired with philosophical lyrics and a mix of incredibly wet backing vocals that aren't stacked but naturally sound that huge like a gospel choir, as that is where the six member sibling group got their inspiration from. However the rough and ready lead singing would often sound terse and tinny by contrast with a 'wall of sound'  approach to the backing track; which would be cluttered with clashing acoustics and percussion parts splashing around the vocals. Though I must say the swirling, slightly hissed and tinny transistor feel does provide an airy nostalgic touch, like a semi-daydream nature to the production.

 I'll never be ashamed again is the forgotten hit so to speak, instantly melodic and relatable; it captures all the elements of the new group's vibe in one song and with the mix far more balanced than the rest of the album. It starts with a crystal chandelier of an intro; all sparkling and intricate as we are immediately dazzled by the instruments, chiming and reflecting all around the mix. It's a fragrant few bars to start with, as 'raindrop' patters of  harpsichord keys intersecting with clockwork tabla in a carousel, music box melody.

 While the band carries heavy Doo Wop influence, they were also dogged with comparisons to the Jackson Five; one of the singers sounds exactly like Jermaine, but when it came to vocals they had the stronger voices. On this album you often hear their harmonies blare out in flanged whoops, almost for percussive effect though they could also swoon like sirens on the prettier numbers, something they would put to greater effect in later years on tracks like Forever Yours, Roulette Wheel of Love etc.

The dewdrop sentimentality in the young Foster Sylvers' pop vocals belie the extraordinarily mature ponderings and observations in their songs, usually written by elder brother Leon Sylvers III; who went on to become a famed producer. The spirit and energy of the group is clear, they employ  the call and response technique to a great degree and constantly shifting tempos, from lush drawls to jumpier rhythms. The tremolo on the backing vocals and submerged echo chamber on the instruments creates a transcendent tone, slightly burying and blurring the sharp performances. 

The shiny vibraphone tinkles along in the coda to far more prominence, also of note is the busy thrumming bass that locks everything together and the smooth blues licks that keep things flowing. The closing jam is a infectious mantric dance with sultry refrains and sharp thwacks/snaps of some percussive instrument; probably a set of drum sticks clapped together very harshly it sounds clipped. 

A quick word on the lyrics; they are about a guy coming on to a girl too strong and aggressive and forced to learn an important lesson in how to approach with more humility and grace; it's a fresh message in a fresh recording.