There's No Me Without You (Bonus Tracks)

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1973 release. THERE'S NO ME WITH OUT YOU was the fifth studio album by legendary soul male vocal group The Manhattans. The Manhattans were experienced songwriters and their talents were fully utilized. Edward Bivins penned the sterling ballad,"There's No Me Without You", very much in the vein of what would become the group's most successful format - up-front lead, quintessential harmonies and a few spoken lines. Things changed considerably for the group in the early '70's as George "Smitty" Smith left the group and later died tragically. Gerald Alston replaced him and the group signed with Columbia. The title track of this album was their first huge hit with Columbia, and quickly showed them how much clout a smash on a major label meant. The single reached number three on the R&B charts, and ensured that Alston's smoother, but equally powerful and declarative voice wouldn't have any problem fitting into their new sound. Winfrid Lovett kept the formula going for "We Made It" and "Wish That You Were Mine" but provided variety by way of the uptempo "Soul Train", while Kenneth Kelly offered a relaxed floater in "The Day the Robin Sang to Me". Rounding off the group's efforts on the first album, Messrs Alston and Lovett collaborated on the understated beauty, "The Other Side of Me".