The True Reflection - 1973 - Where I’m Coming From
Posted by nikos1109
You can’t miss with Philly Sophistisoul right !! And yet another obscurity that is hard to accept as such - surfacing for your seasoned palate, demanding only the best. True Reflection are a high calibre quartet that recorded just the one LP, but truly seize their moment to leave a mark reeking of quality. Boasting both incredible tenor and falsetto leads, and exceptional harmonies, you really cannot fail to be impressed when the songs are as good as this.
Tracks
A1 Whisper 5:00
A2 That Was Yesterday 3:25
A3 Society 4:20
A4 What You Don’t Know 2:30
B1 It Really Hurts 4:00
B2 Helpless Man 5:00
B3 That’s Where I’m Coming From 2:40
B4 Look At All The Lonely People 4:40
Review by Trakbuv
Another volatile star that blazed for one album and then imploded, scattering its components to the far reaches of the soul galaxy. And in “Where I’m Coming From”, paraphrasing from the movie Bladerunner, True Reflection ’shone so very brightly’. With roots in Washington DC, the quartet came together at the mighty Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA. And under the august auspices of arrangers Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Vince Montana, an assured seam of quality was ingrained into the vinyl. And to add to the mix, True Reflection were no strangers to the recording studio themselves. Glenn Leonard had been a member of The Chancellors (recall ‘All the way from Heaven’), The Instant Groove, and The Unifics. Joe Blunt had also been with The Chancellors. The remaining two members, Joe Coleman and Bobby Cox do not seem to have any obvious musical connections prior to True Reflection.
However, True Reflection did provide a springboard for their musical careers. Glenn Leonard went on to replace Damon Harris as first tenor and lead singer of The Temptations (1975-83), with possibly his most notable lead on the single ‘Power’. Jo Blunt joined The Drifters in 1975 just as their popularity soared in the UK with popcorn numbers like ‘You’re more than a number’ and ‘Hello happiness’. He featured as lead on several tracks including ‘Like a movie’ and ‘When you coming home’. Joe Coleman went on to form part of The Persuaders line up (1974-75) and later teamed up with his brother William, and Richard Gant (another ex-Persuaders who had been replaced by one Howard Kenney), to form Mirage. In 1978, they released an excellent LP in their own right entitled ‘Princes of Love’.
Back to 1972, True Reflection release their debut single “Beer Cans and Empty Hands” b/w “Silent Treatment” (Atco 45-6905) to a thunderous silence. The following year they follow it up with a long player utilising the same writing/production team responsible for their 7″, namely Bob Currington, T. Lester, W. Lester, R. Brown and Joe Blunt. Some may recognise these as the same dudes that kicked up a storm for The Modulations on their ‘It’s Rough Out Here’ LP. And for me, a comparison in formula of funky burners and sweet ballads can be readily drawn between the two high calibre sets.
“Whispers” is a wonderful introduction to the band, a gritty blend of Norman Whitfield and the Sigma Sound, with fabulous lead vocals and harmonies all neatly tied up with a message to the music - probably my favourite track. “That was yesterday” drops the pace to deathly slow with a sombre falsetto, all recalling The Chi-Lites in structure - very impressive. “Society” packs another political punch with a growling lead brooding over a smart synclavier groove. “What you don’t know” is a delightful urgent falsetto-led dancer, and the falsetto is maintained for the tuneful ballad “It really hurts”. This really carries a potfull of stardust in its exquisite tenderness - unbelievably good. The tempo drops a touch for the lovely “Helpless man” boasting terms of endearment like ‘I need you baby like a clock needs his hands’. The skipping “That’s where I’m coming from” provides a slightly more commercial edge to the proceedings, but still wonderful in its own brief way - and a real throwback to the essence of popular soul music of the time. The dramatic “Look at all the lonely people” is another very pretty ballad, if slightly saccharined by its sentiment.
For me, there really are no weakness in the whirl on either side of the platter. Fabulous vocals, exceptional harmonies and great, if not entirely memorable, tunes conveying some thoughtful lyrical content. Another startling reminder of how high the bar stood in the early part of the seventies. But also a very lamentable stinging pinch of the number of high quality bands that came and went with little or no public regard. ‘And then they disappeared like tears in rain.’
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Buy the CD from Amazon and the vinyl from Groove Collector or Ebay
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July 17th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Man, do I ever remember subway cars like that.
July 18th, 2010 at 5:38 am
A friend of mine was a grafitti artist on the subway cars. What a wild time. Anyway, had this album on vinyl when it came out. “Whispers” & “Look at all the lonely people” were played to death on my cheesy stereo. Their harmonies, the passion…….what’s not to like? I had the cd, ripped it and gave it to another fan and then my external died. So thank you for another chance. Your site always makes me cry with joy.
July 18th, 2010 at 5:40 am
‘Preciate it.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Many thanks for this goodie
July 18th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Nikos, great stuff!
July 18th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
To be honest, I never heard of True Reflection but they fit the Philly International groove. Love It! Thanks.
July 18th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Man..where do you find this gems? Thanks a million.
July 18th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Excellent soul music for the summer.
July 18th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I already have this album — and all I have to say is that it is a rare beauty. My favorite track: It Really Hurts …
July 18th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
I agree Raggedy - magical ballad from a first class album
July 19th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
this a very good album thanx nikos
July 19th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
It is so great that you can surf through blogland for years and stil discover gems that you have never heard of before. I have just listened to “Look at all the lonely people” and can’t wait to hear the rest of the album tomorrow on the train commute.
Many thanks.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Woah…. nice nice nice soul!!!!
thanx a lot.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
at last!!
thanks a bunch, you’re the man for anotha time!
July 20th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
fantastic selection from your crate guys! Philly as I like it! on April last year you kick me and my family with the Imperials and now you did it again. Thanx a lot. everybody´s dancing here at home.
b.t.w. between April 2009 and July 2010 you turned our soul world upside down. So many gems, so many unknown bands and singers. thanx all of you for all work.
Mellowgangsta
July 20th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
DAMN! This sounds beautiful! Thank you so much!
July 21st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
thank you !!! Really didn’t know this one !!!
July 21st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
This is a must have! Million thanks.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
excellent blog, thanks very much for this.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Wow…this one is amazing. Philly!!!
I cant thank you enough…
July 25th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Superb Philly Sound!!!
July 25th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Pretty damn sweee. Thanks so much.
July 26th, 2010 at 9:37 am
your blog is amazing!
thank you so some much for some gems, your work is much appreciated!
July 26th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
wow, what a share. I`ve never believed to hear this. Thank you very much
July 27th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Looks wonderful!
July 28th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Big thanks for this rare release!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
this a very good album thanx nikos!!!
August 4th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Philly sound never dies……..Great!!!!!!!!!
August 5th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Superb indeed!
August 7th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I am very grateful for your generosity and hard work in sharing all this great stuff, much of which is new to me.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:36 am
A long favorite of mine. A must have.