Back 2 Back: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes/Atlantic Starr (CD) by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes/Atlantic Starr

CD. The Back 2 Back album series is popular with some; each LP featured the best of two artists' hits on one brief compilation of usually ten songs. The problem is that the essence of a hitmaking group cannot be experienced in five tunes. In addition, on this particular release the Blue Notes' "Love I Lost," "Bad Luck," and "Wake Up Everybody" are all the short radio edits; in fact, nothing by them rolls past four minutes. However, two Atlantic Starr songs -- "My First Love" and "Masterpiece" -- play for more than five minutes each and two others by the group run for over four minutes apiece. Early Atlantic Starr hits "Am I Dreaming" and "Send for Me" are missing. Still, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," "Secret Lovers," "Satisfaction Guaranteed (or Take Your Love Back)," and "Always" make any car ride enjoyable. ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi