On Top

AMG Review of On Top

Andrew Hamilton
All Music Guide

On Top is a perfect example of the subjectivity of musical taste. Among collectors, this is considered the most valuable of all the albums recorded by the Moments on Stang Records. In my opinion, it's all right, but it's not all that, and it doesn't come close to being my favorite from the three guys who later became Ray, Goodman & Brown. An original copy of this LP starts at around $50, others by the Moments go for between $10 and $20. Two minor R&B hits, "Lucky Me," a song that Billy Brown claims to hate, and "All I Have," are the most recognizable. Both are George Kerr compositions and productions, and each features Brown's ice-melting falsetto. Also included are two singles that are different from anything the group had ever done, "I Can't Help It" and "That's How It Feels." Sylvia Robinson also recorded "I Can't Help It," and to be honest, the song suited her better. It was the A-side of "To You With Love," a lovely floating ballad sung by Harry Ray that featured the groups' patented hand claps. "That's How It Feels was a two parter wherein Brown's voice rode atop a bed of rhythms on a tune more aptly define as a love suite than a song. Neither impressed the jocks nor the buying public. A charming but sorrow filled "I Lost One Bird In the Hand" is an impressive, slow lamenter crooned by Ray. The only up-tempo number, other than the herky jerky "I Can't Help It," is "Sweeter as the Days Go By," led by Brown in his natural, gospel inspired tenor. I've listened to "The Ice Is Melting" many times but can't get down with it, or "Candy Shack," both are reserved slow jams that lack bite and substance.