Want a little Philly Soul? Then check out today’s classic song of the day, “One of a Kind (Love Affair)” by the Spinners. Released as a single in April of 1973, this one went to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, #8 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s Best Selling Soul Singles chart.
“One of a Kind (Love Affair)” was written by Joseph B. Jefferson and the single was produced by Philly Soulmaster Thom Bell. It was the group’s third hit single from their debut album on Atlantic Records, following “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.” Lead vocals on this one were by Phillippe Wynne, with a few lines in the bridge by Bobby Smith.
As some of you know, the Spinners started out as a Motown group, but had only limited success there, most notably with the Stevie Wonder-written and -produced single, “It’s a Shame.” Dissatisfied with their lack of attention from Berry Gordy and company, the group moved to Atlantic Records and the Philly Soul hit-making machine of Thom Bell. It was the right move.
The Spinners followed up “One of a Kind (Love Affair)” with a dozen more top forty hits, the biggest being “Ghetto Child” (1973), “Mighty Love” (1974), “I’m Coming Home” (1974), “Then Came You” (with Dionne Warwick, 1974), “Love Don’t Love Nobody” (1974), “Games People Play” (1975), “The Rubberband Man” (1976), “Working My Way Back to You Girl”/”Forgive Me Girl” (1979), and “Cupid”/”I’ve Loved You for a Long Time” (1980). I’m sure you know most if not all of these; the Spinners were a really big deal back then.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, the Spinners performing “One of a Kind (Love Affair)” on the June 8, 1973, episode of The Midnight Special. Love those jackets!
