Dance Party

The second LP release by the Clovers actually dates from after their departure from Atlantic Records and, like its predecessor, was assembled from existing singles and B-sides. The accent here, starting with the delightful "Love Bug," is on a jauntier brand of R&B, including some gems that had been otherwise overlooked on singles, such as "If I Could Be Loved By You" (which is worth hearing just for the guitar-and-sax-driven break), along with such familiar successes as "Down In The Alley" -- there are a few lesser songs such as the very late-era "So Young," but its presence is balanced by its B-side, the raw "I, I, I Love You" featuring sometime lead singer Billy Mitchell at his most earthy. As with the earlier Clovers album, the differing material and voices -- including Mitchell, Buddy Bailey, and Charlie White -- is almost staggering in its range, and even casual fans may find the listening rewarding and revelatory. ~ Bruce Eder