To Be True

by Craig Lytle The third album from the melodramatic vocal quintet and it features an array of R&B classics. While Teddy Pendergrass was featured on this album, he did not lead every song.. The three releases were "Where Are All My Friends," "Bad Luck" and "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon." All three were Billboard R&B top ten winners with the latter reaching number one. "Where Are All My Friends" and "Bad Luck" mirror each other in that both are uptempo numbers that depict the misfortunes of a man. The former has a smoother vocal presentation with a mid-verse rhythm change-up. The latter has an incessant groovin' rhythm where Teddy Pendergrass cuts into the lyric with conviction with his robust delivery as he does on each selection he leads. "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" features the velvety smooth vocals of Sharon Paige on this easy-flowing number. While Harold Melvin carries most of the vocal duties, Pendergrass steps in for a one-liner and closes out on the vamp. Whereas most ballads climax towards the end of the song, the most climatic part of this number one song is the string and horn intro. The title track "To Be True" is a sleeper. Not just for its conciliating melody, but also for the lyrical content that calls for two lovers to find time for each before all is lost. Harold Melvin's debonair vocals are featured on lead. This is one of four consecutive great albums to come from the Philadelphia vocal quintet.