The Fantastic Four<div hidden>The Fantastic 4</div>
Alvin Stone (The Birth And Death Of A Gangster)
Written-By – Al Kent, Calvin Colbert
7:50
A2 Have A Little Mercy
Written-By – Al Kent, Calvin Colbert
5:35
A3 County Line
Written-By – Al Kent
3:25
B1 Let This Moment Last Forever
Written-By – Al Kent, Calvin Colbert
6:00
B2 Words
Written-By – Al Kent
6:00
B3 My Love Won't Stop At Nothing
Written-By – Al Kent
8:30
Label: Westbound Records – W-201
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
The 1975 album Alvin Stone (The Birth And Death Of A Gangster) by the Fantastic Four is widely regarded by soul aficionados as the crowning achievement of the group's career. Released on Westbound Records, it represents a stylistic shift from their earlier Motown/Ric Tic era toward a more cinematic, gritty, and socially relevant sound.
Unlike a standard collection of soul tracks, the album functions as a "grimy crime film" in audio form. The title track chronicles the life of a fictional gangster, Alvin Stone, from his "bad seed" childhood to a violent end, featuring dramatic sound effects and screams.
The album blends 70s harmony soul with early disco and funk. Critics have compared the sound to a mix of The O'Jays and The Dramatics. James Epps' performance is frequently praised as "phenomenal" and the "brightest star" of the group’s discography.
Most tracks were written by A. Hamilton and C. Colbert, noted for their sophisticated arrangements and "righteous" post-Temptations vibe.
Notable Tracks:- "Alvin Stone (The Birth & Death Of A Gangster)" – The centerpiece with a throbbing beat and cinematic drama; "Have A Little Mercy" – Noted for its deep soulful vibe; "Let This Moment Last Forever" – Highlighted for its strong vocal harmonies; "My Love Won't Stop at Nothing" – An 8-minute epic that showcases the group's vocal range.
The album holds a high average rating of 3.93 to 4.75 out of 5 on Discogs, where users often label it "sheer soul pleasure" and "dynamite stuff". Reviewers often note that the lyrical storytelling predates the narrative styles found in modern gangsta rap.
Despite the high quality, the Fantastic Four remained "Detroit nightclub legends" who never quite achieved mainstream superstardom, making this a "must-have" for deep-cut soul collectors.
B. Y. O. F. (Bring Your Own Funk)
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps 5:11
A2 I Just Want To Love Ya Baby
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps 5:04
A3 Shout (Let It All Hang Out)
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps 4:53
B1 Cold And Windy Night
Producer – James Epps
Written-By – Dennis Coffey, James Epps, Lawrence Perry 4:25
B2 Sexy Lady
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps 4:31
B3 Realize (When You're In Love)
Producer – James Epps
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps, Paul Scott 3:20
B4 B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Funk)
Written-By – Cleveland Horne, Dennis Coffey, James Epps 6:02
Label: Westbound Records – WT 6108
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Funk) is a 1978 album by the American R&B and soul group the Fantastic Four, released on the Westbound Records label. The album marked a stylistic shift for the group, moving away from their traditional 1960s soul roots to embrace the emerging and heavier funk and disco sounds of the late 1970s.
The album is a notable "lost classic" that incorporates the influence of Parliament-Funkadelic and blends organic grooves with the use of new studio tools and instruments, resulting in a forward-thinking, "futuristic" sound. It is recognized for its transition into the R&B sounds that would become prevalent in 1980s music.
The album features a raw, hard-funk sound, especially in tracks like "Super Lover," "Sexy Lady," and the intense "Shout (Let It All Hang Out)". It was produced and arranged by the Motown/Funk Brothers legend Dennis Coffey.
In essence, B.Y.O.F. captures the Fantastic Four evolving from their classic Motown roots into a more modern, synth-driven funk era, a must-have for collectors of late 70s soul and funk.