Labor of Love

They've been applauded by rock pioneer, visionary, and former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. They're championed by "E Street" legend Little Steven Van Zandt and heard just about every day on the Underground Garage. Now The Connection on the roll again with their new album. - "Labor Of Love" is the soundtrack to the love child of Nick Lowe, Flamin' Groovies, the Kinks, and Graham Parker stumbling through the Bowery with the swagger of Exile-era Rolling Stones; finishing off the night by passing out on the Ramones' studio floor.

They've been applauded by rock pioneer, visionary, and former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. They're championed by "E Street" legend Little Steven Van Zandt and heard just about every day on the Underground Garage. Now The Connection on the roll again with their new album. - "Labor Of Love" is the soundtrack to the love child of Nick Lowe, Flamin' Groovies, the Kinks, and Graham Parker stumbling through the Bowery with the swagger of Exile-era Rolling Stones; finishing off the night by passing out on the Ramones' studio floor.

Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow/Labor Of Love is a 2-for-1 compilation of Spinners' albums from 1977 and 1981 respectively. This was gathered together by Collectables Records. Due to the lengths, a few songs were removed from the CD but this MP3 adds the three songs left off.

The first time they ever made music together, Fruition's three lead singer-songwriters discovered that their voices naturally blended into beautiful three-part harmonies. In the eight years since that impromptu busking session, the Portland, Oregon-based quintet has grown from a rootsy, string-centric outfit to a full-fledged rock band with an easy but powerful grasp of soul, blues, and British Invasion era pop. On their new album Labor of Love, Fruition shows the complete force of their newly expanded sound, matching their more daring musicality with sophisticated, melody-minded song craft.

The Spinners story begins in Detroit, hence how for UK audiences from 1967 they became originally known here as The Detroit Spinners. It was important they were not confused with the Liverpool folk group of the same name. Ultimately this was relaxed and on these reissues it should be clear we present the American vocal group we know best for It's A Shame, I'll Be Around and Could It Be I'm Falling In Love. The Spinners adopted many musical styles across the decades from 60s Motown then 70's Philly before arriving in the 80's with Michael Zager's "I Just Want To Be With You" on "Love Trippin'" (1980) and the two albums presented here from 1981. Labor Of Love engaged further with Michael Zager, Can't Shake The Feelin' a collaboration with James Mtume & Reggie Lucas from the period they were delivery success for Phyllis Hyman and Stephanie Mills. Terrific music here from a golden era of soul music by one of the genre's most iconic groups.

"Does anyone date anymore?"