Ron Banks (of
the Dramatics) produced
Five Special, a five-man group featuring his younger brother Bryan. The two groups are vastly different;
Five Special is more laid-back and jazzy than
the Dramatics. Bryan sings in a light, wafer-thin falsetto that's pretty to hear but lacks bite and fire.
Special Edition is like a Chinese meal; you enjoy it while it's playing, but it fails to satisfy, and you're starving for sounds again in an hour. That said, "Jam," "Heaven You Are to Me," "Do Something Special for Your Lady," and "Why Not Be Mine for a While" are all arresting concoctions, good late-night music that would have been more compelling with Ron Banks on lead. The group's deep bass singer and expressive tenor are excellent and should have been featured more. ~ Andrew Hamilton