By the time the end of the '70s rolled around, there was an overwhelming number of
funk
/
soul
outfits on the scene. So many, in fact, that most just got lost by the wayside, recording and fading away without really even being there at all. Hailing from Detroit, vocal trio
Sweet Cream
was certainly in that position, with just one minor
disco
smash single to draw the line between obscurity and oblivion.
"I Don't Know What I'd Do (If You Ever Left) Me,"
which cracked the Top 50
R&B
singles chart in 1978, allowed the
Ridgeway
sisters to at least fleetingly imprint their blend of
Motown
-esque
on the musical landscape, but not much else. Heavily influenced by the sounds of
Stevie Wonder
,
Norman Whitfield
, and the like, whom they dually thank for their inspiration,
adds another amalgamation of those greats to the mix. Smooth songs and sweet vocal harmonies are the name of the game here, and while the siblings certainly have vocal chops, they really don't break any new ground. From the hit single and the fairly power
ballad
"You Brought Joy,"
to
"Do A Dance for Love,"
and across the overly saccharin
"Pretty Little Black Boy"
(which is completed with children's voices), this album is imminently listenable, but so are a lot of things. Unfortunately and ultimately, this blend of harmonies, strings, and light percussive breaks really doesn't make a lasting impression. But given the amount of material out there at the time, that really isn't
's fault. It's easy to be good, but difficult to be recognized for any talent in a sea of mediocrity. ~ Amy Hanson