The Manhattans
American R&B vocal group, The Manhattans, were formed in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Known for their smooth soul and "doo-wop" rooted harmonies, they achieved significant success on the Billboard charts for over four decades. The original quintet consisted of George "Smitty" Smith, Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Kenneth "Wally" Kelly, and Richard "Ricky" Taylor. The members grew up together and sang in high school, but didn't focus on a professional career until they returned from military service.
They signed with Carnival Records in 1964, scoring their first R&B hit with "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" in 1965. In 1970, just as the group signed with Columbia Records, lead singer George Smith fell ill and passed away from a brain tumor. Following Smith's death, the group recruited Gerald Alston, whose smooth, pop-friendly style helped the group transition into mainstream success.
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" (1976), written by Blue Lovett, became their signature song, reaching #1 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. It was the second single in history to be certified platinum by the RIAA. "Shining Star" (1980): earned the group a Grammy Award in 1981 and reached #5 on the Hot 100.
Richard Taylor left in 1976 to focus on his conversion to Islam. In the mid-1980s, the group briefly added Regina Belle, who recorded the duet "Where Did We Go Wrong" with Alston. Gerald Alston left in 1988 for a solo career with Motown. This eventually led to the existence of two different versions of the group for several years—one led by Sonny Bivins and another featuring Alston and Blue Lovett.
Between 2014 and 2015, the remaining original members—Sonny Bivins, Blue Lovett, and Wally Kelly—all passed away.
In September 2024, the group was inducted into the Atlantic City Walk of Fame. Gerald Alston continues to lead a version of the group, performing their legacy hits globally as of 2025.
A Million To One
Written-By – T. Randazzo, V. Pike 3:25
A2 It's The Only Way
Written-By – W. Lovett 2:50
A3 Back Up
Written-By – Kenneth Kelly 2:38
A4 You On My Mind
Written-By – Edward Bivins 1:59
A5 Fever
Written-By – E. Cooley, J. Davenport 2:41
A6 Do You Ever
Written-By – Myrna March 2:40
B1 Strange Old World
Written-By – Richard Taylor 2:22
B2 One Life To Live
Written-By – W. Lovett 2:24
B3 Blackbird
Written-By – R. Hayes 3:03
B4 Cry If You Wanna Cry
Written-By – B. Keyes, M. March 2:41
B5 Teenage Liberation
Written-By – K. Nash, C. Reid, E. Bivins, K. Kelly 2:36
B6 I Can't Stand For You To Leave Me
Written-By – M. Taylor 2:34
Label: DeLuxe – DLP 12004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
A Million To One is the fourth album by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans, released in 1972 on the DeLuxe label. It is a significant album as it was the first following the death of original lead singer George "Smitty" Smith and the introduction of new lead Gerald Alston, who helped define the group's future sound.
The album showcases the Manhattans' versatility, combining the "deep soul" ballads for which they became known as the "Kings of the Slow Jams" with more uptempo, funk-influenced tracks. The production, while professional, retains an "indie approach" that allowed the group's harmonies to shine, paving the way for their highly successful Columbia Records era in the mid-to-late 70s.
The album features stirring, emotional slow-tempo tracks like the title song, "A Million to One," and "It's the Only Way," which highlight Alston's powerful lead vocals and the group's signature smooth harmonies.
The Manhattans demonstrate a more driving, rhythmic side on tracks such as "Back Up" and the "psychedelic rock-dancer" titled "Teenage Liberation".
The songs explore classic soul themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience, with tracks like "Cry If You Wanna Cry" and "One Life to Live" conveying deep emotion.
Doing Their Best Things
A2 Follow Your Heart
A3 Searchin' For My Baby
A4 Baby I'm Sorry
A5 I Wanna Be (Your Everything)
B1 Baby I Need You
B2 Call Somebody Please
B3 Sweet Little Girl
B4 I Betcha (Couldn't Love Me)
B5 Teach Me (The Philly Dog)
Label: UpFront Records – UPF-120
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Doo Wop
The Manhattans' Doing Their Best Things (1969) is celebrated by fans as a delightful early work showcasing their smooth, romantic harmonies and solid soul/R&B sound before their major Columbia label fame, featuring standout tracks like the sweet "Sweet Little Girl" and catchy "I Betcha," offering a nostalgic, soulful journey with strong vocals and infectious grooves that highlight their talent for crafting heartfelt, engaging music, even on this transitional album before their biggest hits.
The album compiles singles from The Manhattans' time on Carnival Records. Notable tracks frequently mentioned in reviews include "Can I," "Follow Your Heart" (highlighted as a showcase for the band), "Searchin' for My Baby" (described as a "mean groover"), "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" (their first hit on the label), "Baby I Need You" (a ballad compared to The Temptations), and "I Betcha (Couldn't Love Me)".
It captures The Manhattans in their formative years, delivering classic soul with lush arrangements and intricate vocal interplay, notes Funk My Soul. Listeners praise the "sweet harmonies" and "romantic" feel, perfect for chilling or romantic moments.
The title track, "Doing Their Best Things," and "I Betcha" are often highlighted for their catchiness and enduring appeal, according to Funk My Soul and Amazon UK. Tracks like "Sweet Little Girl" showcase their ability to deliver soulful ballads with grace, similar to The Impressions, as noted by Funk My Soul.
Fans love it as a "trip into the past," appreciating the genuine soul sound that some feel is missing from modern music, per Amazon UK. Many users praise the album for bringing back fond memories of when "music had a message of love". A common sentiment is that "every track is brilliant" and there isn't a single song they dislike.
Doing Their Best Things serves as a wonderful introduction or deeper dive into The Manhattans' legacy, proving they were a top-tier soul group even before their massive crossover success, delivering quality, heartfelt music that remains beloved by fans.
Love Talk
Engineer – Alec Head
Producer, Arranged By – Bert DeCoteaux
Written-By – D. Frank, D. James 3:58
A2 Love Talk
Arranged By – Mike Foreman
Engineer – Kenny Present, Mike Barbiero
Producer – Scorpicorn Music Inc.
Written-By – Winfred Lovett 4:33
A3 The Right Feeling At The Wrong Time
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Backing Vocals – Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Yvette Benton
Engineer – Jim Gallagher, Kenny Present
Producer – Jack Faith, The Manhattans
Written-By – Barbara Wyrick, Keith Lamb 3:45
A4 Devil In The Dark
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Engineer – Jim Gallagher, Kenny Present
Producer – Jack Faith, The Manhattans
Written-By – Allan Felder, Cary Gilbert, T.G. Conway 4:06
A5 Here Comes The Hurt Again
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Engineer – Jim Gallagher
Producer – Jack Faith, The Manhattans
Written-By – Frank Johnson 4:56
B1 I Just Wanna Be The One In Your Life
Engineer – Alec Head
Producer, Arranged By – Bert DeCoteaux
Written-By – Daniel Walsh, Harvey Price 3:41
B2 New York City
Arranged By – Jack Faith, Mike Foreman
Backing Vocals – Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Yvette Benton
Engineer – Jim Gallagher, Kenny Present
Producer – Jack Faith, The Manhattans
Written-By – Winfred Lovett 4:29
B3 That's Not Part Of The Show
Arranged By – Dennis Harris
Engineer – Kenny Present
Producer – Scorpicorn Music Inc.
Written-By – Edward Bivins 4:27
B4 The Way We Were / Memories
Arranged By – Mike Foreman
Engineer – Kenny Present
Producer – Scorpicorn Music Inc.
Written-By – Alan Bergman, Egbert Van Alstyne, Gus Kahn, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch 5:13
B5 We Tried
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Engineer – Jim Gallagher, Kenny Present
Producer – Jack Faith, The Manhattans
Written-By – Winfred Lovett 3:38
Label: Columbia – JC 35693
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco, Ballad
The Manhattans' "Love Talk" album, often bundled with "Black Tie," is praised for its joyous energy, showcasing the group's fun banter on uptempo tracks like "New York City," stellar Philly soul ballads like "After You," and the surprising country-tinged "Here Comes The Hurt Again," making it a beloved, vibrant addition to their discography, especially for fans of 70s R&B. Reissued by Expansion Records after long unavailability, it highlights the group's versatility and strong vocals, with singles charting well and earning critical acclaim as essential Man
Unlike some of their more somber work, Love Talk captures the group having fun, particularly on uptempo songs. Produced with Jack Faith and Bert DeCoteaux, it embodies classic Philadelphia soul production.
Standout Tracks: "New York City," "Devil In the Dark," "After You," and the unique country-soul "Here Comes The Hurt Again" are frequently mentioned as favorites. It Featured singles like "Here Comes the Hurt Again" and "The Way We Were / Memories" charted on the Hot Soul Singles chart.
It's seen as a highlight of the Manhattans' catalog, offering a more upbeat and musically diverse experience. The reissue, combining it with Black Tie, makes this previously CD-unavailable album accessible to new and old fans. It showcases the group's talent for both lively tracks and soulful ballads.
There’s No Me Without You
Written-By – Edward Bivins
3:38
A2 We Made It
Written-By – Winfred Lovett
4:13
A3 Wish That You Were Mine
Written-By – Winfred Lovett
4:17
A4 I'm Not A Run Around
Written-By – Roger Joyce, Teddy Randazzo
3:14
A5 Soul Train
Written-By – Little Harlem, Winfred Lovett
4:40
B1 You'd Better Believe It
Written-By – John Fowlkes, Roger Genger
4:26
B2 It's So Hard Loving You
Written-By – Charles Reed, Winfred Lovett
2:30
B3 The Day The Robin Sang To Me
Written-By – Kenneth Kelly
3:43
B4 Falling Apart At The Seams
Written-By – Souren Mozian, Teddy Randazzo, Victoria Pike
2:17
B5 The Other Side Of Me
Written-By – Edward Bivins, Gerald Alston
3:09
Label: Columbia – KC 32444
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventy Soul, Philly
The Manhattans' There's No Me Without You (1973) is praised as a strong album of quality Philly Soul, showcasing beautiful vocals from Gerald Alston and featuring Blue Lovett's iconic spoken-word on the hit title track, which was a significant step towards their later mega-success with tracks like "Kiss and Say Goodbye," offering a blend of heartfelt ballads and soulful mid-tempo grooves that avoided the disco trend.
The album is packed with classic 70s soul, produced with the help of M.F.S.B. and The Sweethearts of Sigma, giving it a smooth Philly Soul feel.
It highlights Gerald Alston's beautiful lead vocals and Blue Lovett's distinctive spoken-word delivery, particularly on the popular title track.
The album spawned successful singles, including the title track (No. 3 R&B), "You'd Better Believe It" (No. 18 R&B), and "Wish That You Were Mine" (No. 19 R&B).
While their breakthrough came with later albums (like 1976's The Manhattans), There's No Me Without You proved their quality and set the stage for their massive commercial success.
They maintained their soulful roots, offering memorable ballads but also showing they could fill a dancefloor with mid-tempo numbers, largely resisting the disco wave.
Overall, It's considered a strong album, offering memorable, heartfelt soul music that solidified The Manhattans as a leading group in the genre, even before their biggest chart-toppers.