Sweet pop/soul reissue features 2 classic LPs, Grazin' & Highly Distinct on one CD. Originally released in 1969 on RCA. 'Grazing in the Grass' made them known across America. Lyrics were added to Hugh Masekela's clanging, cowbell-driven, African tune, and it sold in droves, as radio stations played it, people liked it, and even jazz aficionados dug it. They take Eddie Floyd's 'I Ain't Never Found a Girl' out the country and into the city. Lennon & McCartney's 'And I Love Him' is given a soulful, erotic reading by one of the Friends of Distinction women. Cole Porter's somber 'Lonesome Road' shows a desire to do jazzier selections. Highly Distinct is close to their debut album but it is more jazzy and less R&B. They're mesmerizing on 'We Got a Good Thing Going,' where their four-part harmonies riding the bubbling arrangement is simply delicious. I've yet to hear a bad rendition of Neil
Grazin'/Highly Distinct,The Friends of Distinction,One Way Records Inc,Pop,Pop-Soul,Popular Music,Psychedelic Soul,R&B,Soul,Soul/R & B,Sunshine Pop
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Grazin'/Highly Distinct
The Friends of Distinction Manufacturer: Rev-Ola ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Psychedelic Rock
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Oldies
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
R&B
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B000P46PNC Release Date: 2007-06-04 |
Tracks:
- Grazing in the Grass
- I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)
- I Really Hope You Do
- (A) Sweet Young Thing Like You
- Going in Circles
- Eli's Comin'
- Help Yourself (To All of My Lovin')
- Baby I Could Be So Good at Loving You
- And I Love Him
- Peaceful
- Lonesome Mood
- Impressions (Dialogue)
- It's a Just a Game Love
- We Got a Good Thing Goin'
- Workin' on a Groovy Thing
- It's a Wonderful World
- It's Sunday
- Why Did I Lose You
- Light My Fire
- This Generation
- Let Yourself Go
Album Description
2007 digitally remastered two-fer featuring two albums by this Soul/Jazz/Softpop band on one disc. Both their debut, Grazin' and it's follow-up, Highly Distinct, were released in 1969. The Friends of Distinction were formed in 1968, by Floyd Butler, Harry Elston, Jessica Cleaves, and Barbara Love. Their first major hit, 'Grazin' in the Grass', was a radical vocal reworking of the hit by Hugh Masekela with lyrics written by Elston. Released in June 1969, this gold record zoomed into the Top 5 on both the Pop and Soul charts in the US, peaking at #3. The Friends were very prolific between 1969 and 1971, releasing five albums, and enjoying numerous Pop and Soul hits. Rev-Ola.Album Details
2007 Remastered Reissue. The Friends of Distinction were Formed in 1968, by Floyd Butler, Harry Elston, Jessica Cleaves, and Barbara Love. Before This, Butler and Elston Sang in the Hi-fi's with Marilyn Mccoo and Lamont Mclemore, who Would Go on to Co- Found the Fifth Dimension. Butler and Elston Wanted to Form a Similar Modern Soul/Psych/Softpop Hybrid, but One Putting Somewhat More Emphasis on their Soul and Jazz Roots. Performing in the Hip Clubs of 1960s Hollywood, the Friends of Distinction were Soon Discovered by American Football Great Jim Brown, and were Signed to RCA Records. Their First Major Hit, 'grazin' in the Grass', was a Radical Vocal Reworking of the Hit by Hugh Masekela - the South African Jazz Master Then Working in La with Acts Such as the Byrds and Herb Alpert, as Well as the Giants of Jazz - with Lyrics Written by Elston. Released in June 1969, this Gold Record Zoomed Into the Top Five on Both the Pop and Soul Charts in the Us, Peaking at #3.
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Grazin'/Highly Distinct
The Friends of Distinction Manufacturer: One Way Records Inc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Psychedelic Rock
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Oldies
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
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ASIN: B000050I5P Release Date: 2000-10-24 |
Tracks:
- Grazing In The Grass
- I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)
- I Really Hope You Do
- (A) Sweet Young Thing Like You
- Going in Circles
- Eli's Comin
- Help Yourself (To All Of My Lovin')
- Baby I Could Be So Good At Loving You
- And I Love Him
- Peaceful
- Lonesome Mood
- Impressions (Dialogue)
- It's Just A Game Love IFrom The M-G-M Production 'The Split')
- We Got A Good Thing Goin'
- Workin' On A Groovy Thing
- It's A Wonderful World
- It's Sunday
- Why Did I Lose You
- Light My Fire
- This Generation
- Let Yourself Go
Album Description
Sweet pop/soul reissue features 2 classic LPs, Grazin' & Highly Distinct on one CD. Originally released in 1969 on RCA. 'Grazing in the Grass' made them known across America. Lyrics were added to Hugh Masekela's clanging, cowbell-driven, African tune, and it sold in droves, as radio stations played it, people liked it, and even jazz aficionados dug it. They take Eddie Floyd's 'I Ain't Never Found a Girl' out the country and into the city. Lennon & McCartney's 'And I Love Him' is given a soulful, erotic reading by one of the Friends of Distinction women. Cole Porter's somber 'Lonesome Road' shows a desire to do jazzier selections. Highly Distinct is close to their debut album but it is more jazzy and less R&B. They're mesmerizing on 'We Got a Good Thing Going,' where their four-part harmonies riding the bubbling arrangement is simply delicious. I've yet to hear a bad rendition of NeilCustomer Reviews:
WHAT A BARGAIN!.......2006-10-04
I produced both of these LP's for RCA Records........2006-07-16
The Friends' "Grazin'" album is still my all-time favorite production from the 15 years that I was in the record business.
Each "Grazin'" song was hand-picked and "majority rule" voted upon by the group, our talented arranger, Ray Cork, and me - just like the 5th Dimension selected their material. Even the choice of a lead singer for each tune was first individually auditioned and then voted on - an amazing, ego-free democracy.
No one ever mentions it in their reviews, but listen to "Eli's Comin'" to witness an incredible performance by Jessica Cleaves and the group. They recorded this intricate vocal arrangment in an unbelievable one vocal "take". Ditto for a one take performace of "Grazin' in the Grass".
On the other hand, "Highly Distinct" was always, and still is, highly unlistenable. My favorite cut is "It's Just A Game". At this point in their career, the group had enjoyed back-to-back million selling singles and RCA asked (correction: DEMANDED) that a new album be produced immediately.
Well ... truth be told (as Harry Elston would say), the Friends had been on the road for months, headlined LA's Greek Theater with Tom Jones, and simply didn't have the time to put something special together for a follow-up LP. And most of the cuts had to be recorded live with a full orchestra because RCA didn't want us to spend time cutting individual sets of tracks as we had done for "Grazin'".
Thus, in a perfect world, RCA could have/should have released "I Really Hope You Do" (the "B" side of "Grazin' in the Grass") as the Friends' follow-up single to "Going in Circles" and allowed the group MUCH more time to put a sensational new album together. However, as it turned out, this wish was granted a year later (though I was no longer affiliated with the group), when Ray Cork produced the "Real Friends" LP. THAT album should have been the followup to our "Grazin'" LP - not "Highly Distinct". (And, had RCA released "It Don't Matter To Me" instead of "Time Waits for No One", I believe the Friends' string of monster hits would have been extended.)
Friends of Distinction fans: I recommend the "Grazin'" and "Real Friends" collections as the very best of this talented group's performances.
Underrated vocal group in a bargain two-fer.......2002-06-02
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