Like many, I was shocked by the untimely and tragic passing of Phyllis Hyman. The power of this Lady was for all to see when she appeared live at the Southport 10 event in November 1991, and being a tall Lady she must have appeared 7 feet tall with her hair up! That concert was a privilege. So, following her passing Philadelphia International released 2 albums of posthumous material, and "Forever With You" was the last release. I am sure that Gamble and Huff are sat on a lot more material. I know for a fact that Harold Melvin cut one last final album in the late 90s, and that's gathering dust. Anyway, less of my moaning! What can I say about this remarkable 1998 CD? It is a classy, jazzy, sophisticated, deep and profound and offers us an insight into the writing talents of this sadly missed Lady of Soul.Using "in the can" material and with some technological wizardry, Forever with You is essential on all 12 counts here - though some tracks are more essential than essential itself! After the jazzy, horn filled jogger that is Forever with You is a real KILLER that is "Funny How Love Goes". This is classic Philly soul at its best and will really pull on your heartstrings - Damon being a real class act too, and one I had hoped we will hear more of, and a scheduled album on Philadelphia never surfaced. He has recently popped up on a House track called "What Am I Supposed To Do" with Reelsoul. That is essential too! The dancers, "How Long" and "Tell Me What You're Gonna Do" are absolute stunners and are more contemporary than we may have expected! Essential, nonetheless. "Come Right Or Not At All" is a lowdown jazzy rumbler to be enjoyed to the max, and the title song (to be sampled below!) is also what we commonly call a chooooooon! The real KILLER is the traditional '70s Philly sounding cut, "Set A Trap" which features Bunny Sigler on co-vocals. Other Philly stalwarts such as Dexter Wansel, Jack Faith and Norman Harris add some sparkle as well as other producers of note, Nick Martinelli and Barry J. Eastmond. No serious, level-headed soul fan worth their salt would even dare consider ignoring this CD. This is a CD to cherish for many reasons. Alas we may never hear her type again. Mandatory soul music from the 1990s and from a true diva and talent.
