The Moments
The Moments were an influential American R&B and soul vocal group formed in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1960s. They gained fame in the 1970s with smooth harmonies and hits like "Love on a Two-Way Street," "Sexy Mama," and "Look at Me (I'm in Love)." Due to a legal dispute in 1979, the core trio—Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and Billy Brown—renamed themselves Ray, Goodman & Brown and continued success with tracks like "Special Lady."
The group started with original members Mark Greene (lead on early hits), Eric Olfus Sr., Richard Gross, and John Morgan. Signed to Hog Records in 1965 by the Mizell Brothers and Freddie Perren at Howard University, they released "Baby I Want You" b/w "Pray for Me." Discovered by Ed Townsend in 1968, they joined Stang Records, scoring their first hit "Not on the Outside" (R&B #13, Pop #57).
By the mid-1970s, as a trio after Greene and Gross departed, they notched 27 R&B chart entries, including "Dolly My Love" (#10 UK) and "Jack in the Box" (#7 UK). They released a live album from a women's prison in 1972, peaking at #25 on Billboard's R&B chart. Transitioning to Polydor couldn't use "The Moments," leading to the name change.
A separate Moments lineup with Mark Greene toured into recent years until his death in May 2025. Harry Ray passed in 1992 (replaced by Kevin Owens), and Al Goodman in 2010. Known for emotive ballads, they influenced sweet soul harmony groups.
My Thing
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, Sylvia Robinson
3:53
A2 Girl Don't Go
Written-By – A. Goodman, N. Edmonds, S. Seiger
3:03
A3 Life And Breath
Written-By – George Clinton
3:16
A4 Baby I'm A Want You
Written-By – David Gates
3:44
A5 Gotta Find A Way
Written-By – B. Terrell, R. Derouge
4:00
B1 My Thing
Written-By – Sylvia Robinson
2:55
B2 Look What You've Done
Written-By – J. Ingram
3:17
B3 When I Get There
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, H. Ray
2:51
B4 I Believe In You
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, H. Ray
2:53
B5 I Think So
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, H. Ray, Joe Robinson, Jr.
2:53
Label: Stang Records – ST-1022
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Sweet Soul
Released in 1972 on Stang Records, My Thing by The Moments is a cornerstone of the "Smooth Soul" and "Sweet Soul" subgenres. The album is widely regarded by collectors as a "hidden gem" of 1970s R&B, praised for its lush arrangements and vocal harmonies that set the stage for the group's later evolution into Ray, Goodman & Brown.
Produced by Sylvia Robinson, the album features the classic early-70s Stang soul sound, which is characterized as sometimes low-fidelity with noticeable sibilance, yet this only enhances the atmospheric, "dreamy" quality of the songs.
Reviews frequently describe the album as "hypnotic" and essential for fans of 70s soul. The group is noted for its ability to "croon" with high emotional resonance, particularly on the ballads.
Some modern listeners find the sound quality to be "lo-fi" with noticeable sibilance (sharp 's' sounds), though purists argue this adds to the authentic atmospheric charm of the 70s.
The album maintains strong scores across music databases, typically averaging between 4.1 and 4.7 out of 5 stars on platforms like Discogs and Amazon.
Notable Tracks:- "My Thing": The title track is the standout, praised for its quintessential 70s R&B groove; "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You": Highly regarded for its emotional depth and vocal delivery; "Thanks A Lot": Often cited alongside the title track as one of the best examples of the group's smooth, harmonized style.
The Moments were a premiere R&B group of the early 70s, and this album fits squarely within their peak period, often appearing in compilations alongside their bigger chart hits. For fans of early 70s soul, sweet soul, or "low-fi" romantic ballads, My Thing is highly recommended as a quintessential, atmospheric listen.
The Moments On Top
Written-By – G. Kerr, S. Robinson 4:00
A2 I Can't Help It
Written-By – J. Bennett, S. Robinson 3:10
A3 To You With Love
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, S. Seiger 3:03
A4 That's How It Feels
Written-By – N Edmonds, S. Robinson 4:00
B1 Lucky Me
Written-By – G. Kerr, S. Robinson 3:08
B2 I Lost One Bird In The Hand (While Reaching For Two In The Bush)
Written-By – G. Kerr, S. Robinson 4:00
B3 Sweeter As The Days Go By
Written-By – S. Robinson 4:08
B4 The Ice Is Melting
Written-By – J. Harris, T. Henry 3:08
B5 Candy Shack
Written-By – A. Goodman, B. Brown, H. Ray 3:09
Label: Stang Records – ST-1002
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Sweet Soul
The Moments' 1971 album, On Top, is considered a definitive example of symphonic or sweet soul, celebrated for its lush, string-laden arrangements, poignant themes of love and loss, and harmony-drenched vocals.
The album features rich orchestration, including swirling strings, horns, flutes, and a strong rhythmic foundation of breakbeats, piano, and guitar licks.
The songs explore the devastation of lost love and the complexities of romance, delivered with a yearning, emotive vocal style likened at times to The Temptations.
Most tracks were written in-house by the group and their collaborators, avoiding filler material and resulting in a cohesive suite of soul music.
It features the soulful tenor of Billy Brown and the group's signature harmonies, with some delivery reminiscent of The Temptations.
A key track, "To You With Love", was famously sampled by J Dilla for the finale of his seminal album Donuts, highlighting the album's lasting impact on music production.
Overall, On Top is considered a masterpiece of 1970s soul, offering a profound and beautifully arranged musical journey through classic R&B themes.