#the softones

The Softones are a “sweet soul” group from the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Their biggest hits were: “My Dream”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “I’m Gonna Prove It”, “Carla My Love”, and “That Old Black Magic”. They recorded for the Avco Records record label, in the early to mid 1970s. They were a very underrated singing group, whose initial breakout recordings were blessed with superb production. A single listen to the lush production of “My Dream” transforms you to another place, a magical kingdom, with the majestic use of strings and French horns that is this tune’s opening signature… in the same fashion as Thom Bell’s early arrangements for The Delfonics, the song “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” as an example. Lead singer Marvin Brown’s high falsetto, similar to that of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, only higher and smoother and almost as instantly recognizable. Also in the group are Steven Jackson and Elton Lynch. To this date, they are still together and still singing.

The Softones

The Softones

@ 1973 US Pressing

*****

They recorded for the New York-based Avco Records label (later renamed H&L Records) from the early '70s, releasing three albums and about a dozen singles. The most popular tracks were "My Dream", "Can't Help Falling In Love", "I'm Gonna Prove It" and "That Old Black Magic", (#29 Billboard R&B, #2 Disco; 1976). Their first single, "Any Street" was picked up from tiny Baltimore label, Thereway, along with a few other early recordings including "My Dream". They were initially known as "The Soft Tones" until the release of their first album in late 1973.

Like later recordings for Avco by The Stylistics, The Softones were produced by label owners, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and arranger/producer Van McCoy, whose orchestra, comprising some of the top New York session players of the time, served as the house band for many of their Avco records.

Since then, the group has released several further recordings, including a joint album in 1979 on Park-Way International with another Baltimore group, First Class called Together, which included the popular "Carla My Love".