It Feels So Good

Another addition to the Manhattans' bulging cache of mellow sounds. Gerald Alston, Winnie Lovett, Ernest Bivens and Kenny Kelly made a career of recording romance, heartache and make-out tunes. The popular "We Never Danced to a Love Song" fits in well with their other ballads, as does the majestic "It Just Can't Stay this Way" and "Let's Start All Over Again." They hit the charts with the somewhat contrived "I Kinda Miss You," and the title track, the eloquent "It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad" is classic -- the harmony is tight and they add a little doo wop for good measure. You can't go wrong with any Manhattan album; they give their fans what they want, and never do they offend or alienate them by recording and releasing something out of character. ~ Andrew Hamilton