Out front, with mixed results

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the December 11, 1992 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).

It's an admirable concept – take the backup singers who make the established stars sound good, and let them make their own album.

And as far as it goes, it works.

The material is decent, ranging from blues to R&B to pop, and including covers of standards such as "Mockingbird" and "Motherless Child" and R&B hits like "Dancin' in the Streets."

The problem is that with seven singers, no one really gets a chance to strut her stuff. Nor do they ever establish a real group feel. Instead, it's seven individuals working together – more like an audition than a finished product.

What saves it from failure? The sheer talent of this group of singers – Mona Lisa Young, Clydene Jackson Edwards, Myrna Matthews, Maxi Anderson, Carmen Twillie, Alfie Silas and Yvonne Williams.