The Sylvers
The Sylvers were a popular American R&B/soul sibling group from Los Angeles, famous in the 1970s for hits like "Boogie Fever" and "Hot Line," blending soul, funk, and disco with tight harmonies, evolving from earlier work as the Little Angels to become a major act, with brother Leon III becoming a significant producer for Solar Records and other groups, though the family faced personal hardships, including the deaths of two members and Foster Sylvers' legal issues.
The Sylvers hailed from Watts, Los Angeles, with parents Leon Jr. and Shirley Sylvers, both musically inclined. The four eldest siblings (Olympia, Leon, Charmaine, James) started as The Little Angels, appearing on TV (like You Bet Your Life) and opening for stars like Ray Charles and Johnny Mathis.
After being discovered by producer Jerry Butler, younger siblings Edmund, Ricky, Angie, and Pat joined, forming the larger family group known as The Sylvers, signed to MGM/Pride Records where they released three albums, The Sylvers, The Sylvers II and The Sylvers III and scored two R&B hits during 1972-73: "Fool's Paradise" and "Wish That I Could Talk To You".
Moving to Capitol Records in 1975, they teamed with producer Freddie Perren (famous for The Jackson 5). They scored huge hits with "Boogie Fever" (a #1 on both R&B and Pop charts in 1976), "Hot Line," and "High School Dance," defining the era's sound.
Known for their smooth, radio-friendly R&B, funk, and disco, often compared to The Jackson 5, with intricate arrangements and joyful performances.
The group continued with albums on Solar Records (like Concept) and Geffen (like Bizarre) into the early 80s, with Leon III becoming a key producer for the label, shaping the sound of Shalamar, Dynasty, and The Whispers.
The group disbanded around 1985. Their story is marked by tragedy, including the death of youngest sibling Christopher from hepatitis in 1985, Olympia's schizophrenia diagnosis, and Foster Sylvers' conviction and prison time for a sex offense in the 90s.
Despite personal struggles, The Sylvers' music remains celebrated, sampled, and loved, with members occasionally reuniting and Leon III continuing his production work.
The Sylvers
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre:
R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
A1 Wish That I Could Talk To You
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:37
A2 Fool's Paradise
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 2:28
A3 Only One Can Win
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:05
A4 I'm Truly Happy
Written-By – Jerry Peters
2:48
A5 Touch Me Jesus
Written-By – A. Bond, B. Holland, L. Dozier
3:45
B1 I Know Myself
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III
3:50
B2 Chaos
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 4:25
B3 So Close
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 2:59
B4 I'll Never Be Ashamed
Written-By – James Jonathan Sylvers 3:39
B5 How Love Hurts
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:56
The Sylvers' 1972 self-titled debut is widely regarded as a sophisticated masterpiece of early 1970s soul and funk, often distinguished from the "bubblegum" pop associated with other family groups of the era. Produced by Jerry Butler and Keg Johnson, the album peaked at #15 on the Billboard R&B Album Chart and is celebrated for its intricate vocal arrangements and "lost soul" atmosphere.
Critics highlight the album's successful marriage of soul, pop, and studio experimentation. Unlike their later disco hits like "Boogie Fever," this debut features a "deeper, darker, and generally funkier" approach rooted in Southern soul.
The album is praised for its "off the charts" family harmonies and the brilliant songwriting of Leon Sylvers III, who would later become a legendary R&B producer.
While some modern reviews note minor mixing issues on the second half, the overall production is described as "delectable," guiding songs toward a "spooky" or "edgy" feel that set them apart from the Jackson 5.
Key Tracks:
"Wish That I Could Talk To You": A standout single noted for its smooth, youthful energy and Jackson 5-style charm.
"Only One Can Win": A fan and critic favorite, famously sampled by J Dilla on his album Donuts.
"Fool's Paradise": Described as a "funky message song" with heavy vocal harmonies.
"How Love Hurts": Cited as a "sleeper" highlight with a smooth, lovelorn sound that has also been frequently sampled in hip-hop.
"Touch Me Jesus": A Holland-Dozier-Holland cover described as a "joyous slice of gospel soul".
The album's drums and melodies have been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists, including J Dilla and Skyzoo, cement its status as a "crate-digger" essential.
Original pressings can be rare and expensive (often over $50); however, highly-rated reissues from labels like Mr Bongo (2019) have made the album accessible again on 180-gram vinyl.
Often overshadowed by the Jacksons, but beloved by fans for their distinct, powerful sound. In essence, the debut album was a powerful statement, establishing The Sylvers as a major talent with a unique, soulful voice in 70s R&B.
The Sylvers II
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 2:40
A2 Through The Love In My Heart
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:18
A3 Handle It
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 2:40
A4 I'll Never Let You Go
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 4:30
A5 Cry Of A Dreamer
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 4:36
B1 Stay Away From Me
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:43
B2 I Don't Need To Prove Myself
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:33
B3 Let It Be Me
Written-By – Becaud, Curtis, Delanoe 5:00
B4 Love Me, Love Me Not
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 3:20
B5 I Remember
Written-By – Leon Sylvers III 4:50
B6 Yesterday
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney 2:25
Label: Pride – PRD-0026
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
The Sylvers II is critically acclaimed as a "masterpiece" of golden-era soul and funk, praised for its rich production, strong songwriting by Leon Sylvers III, and vibrant arrangements. It is widely considered one of the group's strongest albums and a prime example of 1970s soul music.
Critics and users alike praise the album for its sophisticated blend of soul, funk, boogie, and pop, with some minor critiques regarding consistency.
Reviewers from outlets like Wax Poetics highlight the album as one of the "best-sounding soul LPs of the 1970s", with vivid production, upfront drums, and lush string and horn arrangements by David Crawford. The mixing by engineer Jim Shifflett also receives high marks for expertly combining all the musical elements.
The majority of the songs were written by Leon Sylvers III, and are noted for their strong melodic and rhythmic hooks. The tracks are often sampled by modern hip-hop artists, including Madlib, Ghostface Killah, and 9th Wonder, a testament to their enduring quality and musical depth.
The family's vocal talents are frequently mentioned, with reviewers on Amazon calling their voices "impressive" and a highlight of the album's R&B soul style. Some reviewers, such as Sputnikmusic, note a couple of instances where the "corn goes too far" in sentimentality, and one critique specifically mentions the concluding a cappella cover of The Beatles' "Yesterday" as a "bunk" closer, despite showcasing their vocal range.
Standout Tracks:
"We Can Make It If We Try": The album opener is an "awesome mid-tempo" track praised for its pop potential and strong composition.
"Stay Away from Me": Described as "bold and biting," this track was a single and was notably sampled on Ghostface Killah's "Be Easy".
"I Remember": A late-album highlight featuring stunning string arrangements and a profound, modern feel.
"I'll Never Let You Go": This track is a ballad described as both "groovy and spooky" with beautiful arrangements that elevate it from good to great.
Overall, The Sylvers II (1973) is a highly-regarded and influential album that masterfully blends pop and soul, demonstrating the family's immense talent in performance and songwriting, making it a "true funk-soul masterpiece" for many listeners.