I grew up during the 1970's listening to the soulful sounds of "Love Train", "Back Stabbers", and "Give The People What They Want."

Picture this! It's the summer, circa 1975. An O'Jays 45 rpm is blaring on the hi fi, providing the backdrop for a family reunion, cook out, or the Saturday morning house cleaning fest. There was no explanation why their music went well with almost any urban event. It just did.

My uncle, whom we affectionately called "Bunny", encouraged my interest in music and gave me the group's 1977 album "So Full Of Love". Suddenly I was introduced to Eddie Levert's dominate vocals confessing that he and his lady "cried together". Hearing a man confess to crying at all was miraculous in and of itself. But Eddie Levert made it seem okay -- acceptable even. Then there was "Brandy", sung by smooth tenor Walter Williams. It wasn't until a few years later I learned that "Brandy" was a canine. I knew that if a man could make singing about a dog that passionate he had skills. My favorite track from "So Full Of Love" is "Use Ta Be My Girl". Even today when hear the song, I become like Sister O'Dell. You know she is the lady who says she's "saved" but always jumps up and yells "that's my song", whenever she hears a track that strikes a wordly nerve.

As I listened -correction- studied, these voices, I began to understand why The O'Jays sang with so much conviction. A singer myself, I have learned that much of what comes out of a performer is what's felt inside of them. The true testiment is when they are able to make others feel it as well. I knew whenever I heard the O'Jays, I felt something deep down which is simply defined as "soul". I fell in love with Eddie's voice, [today I still have a crush on him] and was mesmerized by Walter's. They were indeed "so full of love"; and from that moment on, so was I. It didn't take me long to figure out why those women shreked and screamed when Eddie asked "Let Me Make Love To Love", or Walter confessed "You Got Your Hooks In Me". I finally understood why the grown-ups grooved to their jams, and slow danced to their ballads.

I began purchasing my own O'Jays releases after 1977. It has taken me awhile to complete my collection. No doubt the group has had their "hooks in me" ever since childhood. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined having this type of association with the Jays.

What a pleasure it has been enjoying their music for so many years of my life. Even off stage they can capture hearts. Whether they retire tomorrow or keep pumping hits for another four decades, there's no denying that they will remain indelible in my mind. Their sound will forever remind me of my uncle [who died in 1988] humming to the tune "Cry Together".