This is the first US red vinyl re-issue of Young, Tough And Terrible, the lost soul classic second album by Chi-lites offshoot The Lost Generation in over 50 years. The album originally released on Brunswick records and produced by Eugene Record. The vocal group is comprised of Lowrell and Fred Simon, Larry Brownlee and Jesse Dean with arrangements by Cliff Davis with the musicians conducted by Willie Henderson and Quinton Joseph.
The album opens with the vocal cut of Lost Generation, a Curtis Mayfield style conscious soul song full of the history of the struggle for equality and freedom for the oppressed in the United States, as real equality finally seemed like it might be in sight, not another chimera among the sweeping strings and brass section, as they are fighting, crying and dying for the cause, sadly same as it ever was as these vocal harmonies still hold out a little hope for unity.
Tired Of Being Alone couches Al Greens timeless classic in strings, with honeyed vocals to seduce any of the ladies they come across, this is seductive sweet soul to make you go weak at the knees. The brass section seems to be replying to the vocals at times, as you figure out the sort of choreographed dance moves you'll need on the dancefloor to win her over.
All In The Course Of A Day sets out how he deals with everyday life, how it affects the woman he loves, this is a luscious love song for fidelity and a good strong relationship as that incredible brass section works its magic, with the strings hopefully making her feel super special, that she's his and he is hers alone.
Crawl Before You Walk is the begging and pleading for one more chance, after you've been caught up to no good with another woman, on this Holland, Dozier, Holland classic, that was a big hit for Chairman Of The Board, this version does its best to sound super sincere at all times, it might work.
Sure Is Funky lives up to it's title, with a superfly bassline that takes us up across 110th street strutting style, as it re-works that tune, this almost sounds like it needs a Pam Grier video to go with it, so go on get down and funky with them.
The B-side opens with the title tune The Young Tough & The Terrible that almost sounds like Harold Melvin or Teddy Pendergrass on this super sweet song about young bloods up to no good, getting a bad reputation, over the super smooth grooves.
Paulette is begging Paulette to get on a plane and come running to them, as they can't live another moment without her, she shouldn't bother phoning them, as only a personal appearance will do, as they want to love her all night long, if you've ever fancied anyone called Paulette play this for them, then see if they can resist this songs immense charm.
The Thin Line gives the Persuaders classic version a good run for its money, this is sweet sweet soul begging to keep on the right side of that thin Line.
One More Bridge To Cross makes the best of the situation of knowing however far you've come you'll always have one more hurdle in your way, the harmony backing repeating the title against the main vocal work perfectly, as the breakdown introduces some almost dub percussion into the glorious widescreen mix.
The album closes with the instrumental version of Lost Generation that really makes this sound like the perfect Blaxploitation soundtrack to Richard Roundtree strutting through Maxwell Street in Chicago following some foxy ladies, even as the songs title is repeated over and over.
Find out more at https://orgmusic.com/collections/vinyl-lp/products/tltgytattr-lp https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055000756036 https://www.facebook.com/orgmusiclabel
