Major Harris
Major Harris III was an influential American R&B singer known for his smooth Philadelphia soul style. He rose to prominence with the Delfonics and as a solo artist in the 1970s.
Born on February 9, 1947, in Richmond, Virginia, Harris came from a musical family—his father was a professional guitarist, his mother led church choirs, and his grandparents performed in vaudeville. He was the brother of songwriter Joe Jefferson and cousin to record producer Norman Harris.
Harris sang with early groups like the Charmers, Teenagers, Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion before joining the Delfonics in the early 1970s as Randy Cain's replacement. He left in 1974 for a solo career with Atlantic Records, achieving his biggest hit with "Love Won't Let Me Wait," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.
After solo success waned, Harris rejoined Delfonics touring groups in the 1990s and 2000s and released a 1984 album, I Believe in Love. He died on November 9, 2012, in Richmond, Virginia, at age 65 from congestive heart and lung failure.
How Do You Take Your Love
Written-By – Ragovoy
10:05
A2 Lucky Day
Written-By – Ragovoy
3:36
A3 Pretty Red Lips (Kiss My Blues Away)
Written-By – Schroeder, Ragovoy
3:45
A4 How Do You Take Your Love
Written-By – Ragovoy
3:33
B1 Night Moods
Written-By – Ragovoy
4:05
B2 You're So Good You're Bad
Written-By – Schroeder, Ragovoy
4:57
B3 Your Sweet Song
Written-By – Palmaro, Bloom
3:34
B4 This Is Forever
Written-By – Daryll
4:06
B5 Let Me Take You There
Written-By – Palmaro, Levine
4:06
Label: RCA Victor – APL1-2803
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
How Do You Take Your Love (1978) is a highly regarded, albeit overlooked, Philly soul album by former Delfonics member Major Harris, produced in New York with a stellar lineup, including background vocals from Luther Vandross. It offers a mix of sophisticated, mellow, mid-tempo, and disco-soul tracks, featuring the notable 10-minute fusion track "I Wanna Dance With You".
The album is noted for its high-standard, polished Philadelphia soul sound, despite being recorded in New York, and it leans more toward modern soul than pure disco.
Standout Tracks:- "I Wanna Dance With You": An epic, 10-minute, two-part song that shifts from a slow ballad to an uptempo, lush disco-soul workout; "Pretty Red Lips (Kiss My Blues Away)": A standout, melodic track that draws comparisons to the Philly soul classic "Me & Mrs. Jones"; "Night Moods": A smooth, memorable track later recorded by Chaka Khan.
Harris delivers strong, characteristic vocal performances throughout the set. The album features top-tier session musicians, including percussionist Sammy Figueroa and vocalists Alfa Anderson, Diva Gray, and Luther Vandross.
Reviewers on Amazon UK describe it as a highly enjoyable "modern soul" record, praising Harris’s consistently strong vocal performance. The album holds a respectable 4.13 / 5 average rating on Discogs, indicating it is well-regarded by soul collectors.
Though it didn't reach the massive heights of his signature hit "Love Won't Let Me Wait," it is considered a solid and sophisticated addition to his 1970s discography. Overall, the album is considered a "must-have" for fans of 1970s Philly soul and a worthy follow-up to his earlier, highly successful work.
Jealousy
Arranged By – Norman Harris
Producer – Major Harris, Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey
8:48
A2 I Got Over Love
Arranged By – Talmadge Conway
Producer – Alan Rubens, Major Harris, Steve Bernstein
4:48
A3 Walkin' In The Footsteps
Producer, Arranged By – Bobby Eli
Synthesizer [Moog] – Dexter Wansel
3:40
A4 Tynisa (Goddess Of Love)
Arranged By – Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey
Producer – Major Harris, Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey
3:32
B1 It's Got To Be Magic
Producer, Arranged By – Bobby Eli
5:11
B2 Ruby Lee
Producer, Arranged By – Norman Harris
4:37
B3 Talking To Myself
Producer, Arranged By – Bobby Eli
5:20
B4 What's The Use In The Truth
Arranged By – Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey
Producer – Major Harris, Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey
6:38
Label: Atlantic – SD 18160
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Philly
Released in 1976 on Atlantic Records, Major Harris's Jealousy is a highly regarded, smooth Philly soul album produced by legends like Norman Harris and Ron Kersey at Sigma Sound. The album showcases Harris’s emotive vocals across ballads and mid-tempo grooves, featuring standout tracks like "I Got Over Love," "What's the Use in the Truth," and the title track, cementing his reputation as a solo artist post-Delfonics.
The album features classic Philadelphia soul arrangements, described as lush, polished, and, at times, dramatic. It is considered a strong entry in the "Quiet Storm" radio format. A mix of heartfelt ballads and "groovers" that define the mid-70s Philly soul sound.
Standout Tracks:
"Jealousy": The title track, featuring emotional, deliberate vocals.
"I Got Over Love": A popular, high-charting track from the album.
"What's the Use in the Truth": Noted for its dramatic slow-tempo melancholic feel.
"Tynisa": Described as a, funkier, "foot-stomper" track.
"Talking to Myself": A well-regarded remake of a Blue Magic song.
While not a massive pop hit, the album is highly regarded by soul collectors with some reviewers rating it as a superior follow-up to his debut, My Way. It features backing from The Sweethearts of Sigma, adding to the rich, Philly sound.
Jealousy is considered an essential listen for, fans of, 1970s, Philly, soul, and, romantic, balladry. While it didn't achieve the massive crossover success of his debut, Jealousy performed well within its genre: US R&B Charts: Peaked at #33; US Billboard 200: Peaked at #153;
Community Rating: Maintains a solid reputation with an average rating of 3.9 to 4.6 stars across platforms like Discogs.
My Way
Written-By – Mystro & Lyric
3:52
A2 Love Won't Let Me Wait
Written-By – Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett
5:31
A3 Sweet Tomorrow
Written-By – Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett
3:47
A4 Side Show
Written-By – Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett
5:09
A5 Two Wrongs
Written-By – Mystro & Lyric
3:34
B1 Loving You Is Mellow
Written-By – Bobby Eli, Terry Collins
3:25
B2 Just A Thing That I Do
Written-By – Bobby Eli, Terry Collins
6:35
B3 After Loving You
Written-By – Mystro & Lyric
3:18
B4 My Way
Written-By – C. Francois, Gilles Thibault, J. Revaux, Paul Anka
6:12
Label: Atlantic – SD 18119
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Philly, Disco