Jay & the Techniques hit with "Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" in the '60s and reemerge with original lead singer,
Jay Proctor for their first recording in decades.
Proctor's the only remainder from the original group whose break up was facilitated by Uncle Sam's draft. They regrouped with different members for a non-selling Motown release in the early '70s, then disappeared until this release.
Proctor's voice is heavier, gruffer, and not the pop-soul instrument that helped ditties like "Keep the Ball Rolling" cross over. The main courses are the emotive "Palm of My Hand," the comforting "I'll Cry With You," "Why Does Everything Change," and "Grass Ain't Always Greener"; on the latter two, he clones
Teddy Pendergrass' style and timbre so exactly you think it's
Teddy. An update of "Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music" (retitled as "Make Your Own Sweet Music") is the CD's nadir; sometimes you should just leave well enough alone. ~ Andrew Hamilton