The Chi-Lites Albums (12)
'Christmas Time at Mamas House'
Release Date 12/19/2006
Tracks 5
Label New Sound/Windsong
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Help Wanted'
Release Date 11/11/1997
Tracks 12
Label Copper Sun Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Not a bad live set, but no award winner either. Member Marshall Thompson produced the guys in action at Lulu's Roadhouse in Kitchener, Ontario. Unlike most live albums, the audience participation was almost nil, but the upside is that you can hear the vocals better. The revamped group, a quartet in their heyday, is now a trio and has a new lead to replace original Eugene "Geno" Record. Bass singer Creadel "Red" Jones was never replaced, and many miss the booming low tones that worked "Give More Power to the People." A decent medley of their past hits is delightful; they don't chop the songs unmercifully like many acts do. The minor hit "Hot On a Thing" is one of their visual numbers that doesn't work with just audio. Robert "Squirrel" Lester leads "Oh Girl" and strips the song of its poignancy, but he redeems himself with some emotional backing fills on "Coldest Days of My Life." A worthy recording for those who have never experienced the Chi-Lites live. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The early '90s found the Chi-Lites aiming at the urban contemporary market with decent and pleasant results. Just Say You Love Me isn't in a class with the Chicago group's triumphant albums of the 1970s, but it isn't anything to be ashamed of either. An impressive remake of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" is one of the little-known CD's strong points, as is the silky ballad "Solid Love Affair" (which sounds like something the Chi-Lites would have done at the height of their popularity). But on the whole, Just Say You Love Me isn't very retro-sounding. On memorable cuts like "Just You and I Tonight," "There's a Change" and "Eternity," the Chi-Lites are clearly thinking of the Luther Vandross/Freddie Jackson crowd. Although not essential, Just Say You Love Me was a welcome addition to the Chi-Lites' catalog. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Chi-Lites made a comeback in 1980, signing with Carl Davis' Chi-Sound label. Eugene Record returned, and this debut album under that contract even got them some renewed attention for the first time in years. The single "Heavenly Body" got some airplay and chart action, and they appeared on Soul Train that year. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The title track, "Toby," should have made this LP financially viable, but as enchanting and beautiful as it is, the tale was morbid (Toby gets killed) and it didn't burn any rubber on the charts. The insightful "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table)" was also expected to do some serious damage, but didn't fare as well as "Toby." Both were excellent examples of lead singer, writer and producer Eugene Record's immense creativity. A remake of Roberta Flack's "First Time (Ever I Saw Your Face)" rivaled the original. The public didn't think much of this release, as it only dented Billboard's Top 200 LP Chart at #181. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Behind the talents of Eugene Record, the Chi-Lites presented an impeccable album featuring one gem after another. Not losing any steam from their previous album, the Chi-Lites plugged another number one song, the universally appealing "Oh Girl," which also claimed the number one spot on the pop charts. "Coldest Days of My Life" came with a placid arrangement and peaked at number eight, and "Lonely Man" was a humble extension of "Have You Seen Her." From the testimonial "Living in the Footsteps of Another Man" to the mid-tempo "Being in Love" to the ballad "Love Is," the Chi-Lites were flawless with this effort. Record is masterful with his articulation of the lyric; he stays in control of his vocals. His penmanship is phenomenal and his production skills are irreproachable. The only socially charged number is a remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," and it's done with skillful execution. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
'(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People'
Release Date 1/1/1971
Tracks 9
Label Brunswick
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Though they boasted one of the sweetest voices in soul music with Eugene Record, the Chi-Lites broke away from that format -- thankfully, only slightly -- for 1971's (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People. Influenced by the growing social consciousness of soul music during the early '70s (especially Sly & the Family Stone and the solo debut of fellow Chicagoan Curtis Mayfield), Record wrote a pair of songs (the title track and "We Are Neighbors") evoking not only deep frustration but also a plea for hope and unity that challenging times demanded. It certainly didn't hurt that both were monster productions with raw, aggressive synthesizers, intense lead vocals, and some of the strongest, loudest harmonizing ever heard on a soul record. Doubly ironic and doubly fortunate too that (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People also featured a pair of the Chi-Lites' sweetest soul ballads, "Have You Seen Her?" and "I Want to Pay You Back," plus the excellent strollers "Love Uprising" and "You Got Me Walkin'." The Chi-Lites weren't exactly album artists, but (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People was a powerful example of early-'70s soul and the best record they ever released. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
