The Manhattans

Rating, 3 Stars The Manhattans were one of those classic R&B vocal groups who manage to achieve incredible career longevity by adapting their style to fit changing times. Formed in the ’60s as a doo wop-influenced R&B quintet, the Manhattans reinvented themselves as sweet smooth soul balladeers during the ’70s.  In doing so, they somehow overcame the death of lead singer George Smith, and with new frontman Gerald Alston became more popular than they’d ever been, landing an across-the-board number one hit in 1976 with “Kiss and Say Goodbye.” Under the leadership of Winfred “Blue” Lovett (who also composed some of the group’s biggest hits), the Manhattans survived as a viable chart act well into the ’80s, over two decades after their formation.  The Manhattans got together not in their namesake location, but in nearby Jersey City, NJ, in 1962. In 1964, the Manhattans signed with the Newark-based Carnival label and teamed up with producer Joe Evans; they scored their first hit in early 1965 with “I Wanna Be (Your Everything),” a number 12 R&B hit that established their way with a ballad right from the beginning. It was the first of eight singles for Carnival, a string that continued up through 1967. None were huge hits, but nearly all of them reached the Top 30 on the R&B charts, and are still prized by collectors of vocal-group soul for their aching harmonies, Smith’s intense leads, and lack of concession to mainstream pop audiencesInitially working with producer Bobby Martin, the Manhattans’ records now fell into line with the sweet, string-laden sound of contemporary ’70s soul. Alston and Lovett reunited in 1993; with new members Troy May and David Tyson, they tour regularly into the new millennium. For more information: Wikipedia