The Independents - The First Time We Met (1972) [Hi-Res]

A stellar debut from Chicago's the Independents, a quartet that featured activist Jessie Jackson's younger brothers: Chuck on lead vocals, and Maurice; the other members were Marvin Yancy, who wrote and produced the tunes with Chuck, and lone female member Helen Curry who blended with the guys and added some eye candy for the fellows (she was fine). They were at their best on southern drawl-slow, meandering ballads with hitches in the rhythms. Four of their finest, "First Time We Met," "Leaving Me" (a million seller), "Just As Long As You Need Me" (a duet featuring Chuck and Marvin), and "Baby I've Been Missing You," stand out like diamonds among coals when compared to the other selections. Picking their A-sides was a piece of cake as they waxed either hits or garbage (a term Berry Gordy, Jr. used for songs that didn't get enough votes by his quality control panel to get released as singles).

Tracklist:
01. The Independents - I Just Want to Be There (03:21)
02. The Independents - Our Love Has Got to Come Together (03:12)
03. The Independents - Can't Understand It (02:47)
04. The Independents - Just as Long as You Need Me, Pts. 1 & 2 (06:10)
05. The Independents - Leaving Me (03:12)
06. The Independents - Baby I've Been Missing You (04:18)
07. The Independents - I Love You, Yes I Do (02:49)
08. The Independents - Couldn't Hear Nobody Say (I Love You Like You Do) (04:30)
09. The Independents - Here I Am (04:18)