the Topics - all good things (1974)

The Topics, hot stuff in New York, NY, and parts of New Jersey, rarely got heard anywhere else. They previously recorded for Carnival Records, but these later cuts produced by Bruce Clark are superior. Member and main writer Ronald McCoy handles most of the leads; Vaughn Curtis led most of their Carnival sides. The 11 tracks include "Wichita Lineman" coupled with "Rainy Night in Georgia," a semi-masterpiece arranged by Dennis Williams, and a cold-blooded rendition of "Giving Up," the old Gladys Knight & the Pips hit. "All Good Things Can't Last" had R&B Top Ten magic, but lack of funds killed its chances of becoming a significant record; the lilting mourner reigns as their most popular recording. "You've Got the Power," is up-tempo, with multi-vocalists including Robert Radcliffe and Yvone McCoy contributing lead lines. Slow, mid-tempo romancers and lamenters like "Gotta Get You Back" and "Your Love Comes Slower Than Never," and harmony checks like "Please Take This Heart of Mine" are preferable. Yvone leads "God and You," a romantic cruiser that was also recorded by Loreli.