Sheer Elegance
Sheer Elegance
Written-By – H. Watkins
4:06
A2 Don't Break My Heart Sweetheart
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:00
A3 It's Temptation
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:15
A4 Answer Me Girl
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:44
A5 Peace And Love
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:29
B1 Milky Way
Written-By – H. Watkins
3:28
B2 Everything's Okay
Written-By – D. Robinson
3:58
B3 Cost Of Living
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:15
B4 The Wonder Of You
Written-By – Baker Knight
3:06
B5 Don't Wanna Miss My Bus
Written-By – B. H. Gordon
3:10
Label: ABC Records – ABCD-963
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
The self-titled 1976 album by Sheer Elegance serves as the definitive showcase for this British pop-soul trio. Emerging from the TV talent show New Faces in 1975, the group—consisting of Dennis Robinson, Bev Gordon, and Herbie Watkins—delivered a blend of Motown-inspired harmonies and mid-70s soul.
The record is characterized by polished, upbeat arrangements that lean heavily into the pop-soul and disco-lite genres popular in the UK at the time. The album falls within the British pop-soul genre, comparable to contemporaries like Sweet Sensation.
Key Tracks:
"Life Is Too Short Girl": The album's standout hit, reaching #9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1976. It is frequently cited as "catchy and memorable" by listeners.
"It's Temptation": Another charting single (#13 UK) that displays their tight vocal harmonies.
"Milky Way": A soulful track that highlights the group's ability to balance dancefloor energy with smoother R&B textures.
Listeners often praise the album for its "unpretentious fun" and the high quality of the vocal performances. It is considered a staple for fans of the "Northern Soul" adjacent pop sound of the late 70s.
Some critics view it as a product of its time, noting that while the singles are strong, some deep cuts follow a somewhat repetitive "talent show winner" formula.
While professional contemporary reviews from major 1976 outlets are rare in digital archives, community consensus on platforms like Discogs and Rate Your Music typically rates the album between 3.3 and 4.2 out of 5 stars.