The Friends of Distinction: “Let Yourself Go”, “We Got A Good Thing Goin’”
From: Highly Distinct [RCA, 1969]
Highly Distinct is the kind of record people forget they own, because its sound is familiar to the lump of L.A. soul groups in the late-60s. The Friends of Distinction hit their high-notes and have vocal hops that at times sound like a choir section. “Let Yourself Go” and “We Got a Good Thing Goin’” are written by former Emotion, Sheila Hutchinson. Her carefree lyrics on “Let Yourself Go” make for a groovy soul ballad that suits this vocal quartet.
The album credits list Willie Hutch arranging vocals for both tracks, which explains why the vocal precision is flawless. On “We Got a Good Thing Goin’” Jessica Cleaves and Barbra Jean Love keep the song’s pep up over an orchestra arrangement that demands high vocal kicks. Harry Elston and Floyd Bulter hold their own on these demanding productions with subtle exchanges, and bass vocals that fill those high kicks. At times, The Friends of Distinction sound theatrical and overly produced, but that works in favor the a gender-mixed quartet.
“Grazing in the Grass” is another song (undoubtedly their staple single) to checkout by this mildly successful quartet.
Follow Us On Twitter
Name what George Clinton song, Jessica Cleaves ran out of the session on, cause she was scared of that funk! She thought it was the devil. After Friends of Distinction, I could imagine how she would be scared of those damn Funkadelics.
I'll be back later with a solo Jessica Cleaves jam for you.
Best, fONk
thanks a lot for posting this.. this and Stoned Soul Picnic were the only real 'soul' albums my dad had in his record collection. had written it off all through my teenage years and I didn't drop the needle on it until i had discovered make it easy on yourself by burt bacharach in my mid-20's.
thanks again, and again, your site is wonderful.
i am so glad that some people's appreciate those two songs,"we got a good thing going & let yourself go".
they are saying so much. very simple in words, but heavy in the music and vocal delivery.
i am almost certain the willie hutch wrote those songs, and not sheila hutchinson. he was sure there with us vocally when we were learning the songs. i would check it out.
anyway, thanks for appreciating us and our music over the years.
check out current "friends" on "myspace".
harry elston