`Pure Slow Jams' Features 18 Massive '70s Hits From the Golden Age of Soul, Including 15 #1s From Aretha, Gladys, Al Green, Temptations, Chi-Lites, Commodores, Jackson 5 & More

Business Wire, August 6, 2002

Entertainment Editors & Music/Retail Writers

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2002

Some folks may say they like it hard and fast, but y'all know it's best slow and easy. We're talking about soul music, of course. And in the '70s, sweet rollin' soul reached its heights. Now, 18 of the greatest Quiet Storm classics from back in the day have been compiled and digitally remastered for "Pure Slow Jams" (UTV Records, a division of UME), released September 10, 2002, the latest installment in the platinum-selling "Pure" series.

"Pure Slow Jams" features 15 tracks that hit #1 on either the pop or R&B chart; two of the 18 were certified platinum, nine others certified gold. These are the songs and their original artists that today still provide the soundtrack to our lives.

The first two selections out of the box, chronologically speaking, are 1970's "I'll Be There" from The Jackson 5, one of the string of #1 pop/#1 R&B smashes that launched their career, and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" from The Delfonics, the gold #10 pop/#3 R&B Thom Bell-written and -produced hit that foreshadowed the explosion of Philly Soul.

"Pure Slow Jams" also includes timeless legends such as The Temptations with the platinum #1 pop/#1 R&B "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)"; Marvin Gaye with "I Want You"; Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin with the gold, Stevie Wonder-written #1 R&B "Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" and Al Green with the gold #1 pop/#1 R&B "Let's Stay Together." The collection also spotlights those with briefer stints on stage, such as Al Wilson and his gold #1 pop/Top 10 R&B "Show & Tell."

There are love songs: the gold Top 10 R&B "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" from The Dells, the Top 20 pop/#1 R&B "Love Ballad" from L.T.D. featuring Jeffrey Osborne, "`Cause I Love You" from former Tower Of Power lead singer Lenny Williams and the gold #5 pop/#1 R&B "Special Lady" from Ray, Goodman And Brown. There are breakup songs, Gladys Knight & The Pips with the #2 pop/#1 R&B "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)," and there are get-back-together songs, 1978's platinum #1 pop/#1 R&B "Reunited" from Peaches & Herb. There's even the definitive big trouble song: Billy Paul's "Me And Mrs. Jones," the gold #1 pop/#1 R&B Gamble & Huff masterpiece.

"Pure Slow Jams" includes the ultimate torch song, "Have You Seen Her," a #1 R&B from The Chi-Lites, and the ultimate song of comfort, Bill Withers' gold #1 pop/#1 R&B "Lean On Me." But throughout all of them, the vibe is as smooth as The Floaters' gold #2 pop/#1 R&B hit "Float On" and as easy as, well, the Commodores' Lionel Richie-penned Top 10 pop/#1 R&B "Easy."