Heaven Is Where You Are

by The Exciters

Overview

Possibly the first act outside of Britain produced by the British Ian Levine, the Exciters tasted success with "Tell Him" in the mid-'60s but were dormant when Levine extended them an olive branch. Once a quartet of three women and one man, they had shrunk to a duo consisting of Herb Rooney and Barbara Reid. Levine attempted to create the popular Northern Soul four-on-the-floor sound and partially succeeded; most of the tunes, however, are too frantic for non-caffeine users. The first release "Love You Baby," originally by Eddie Parker, might have done better if a cover by Lorraine Chandler hadn't knocked it out of contention. Another cover, Sandi Sheldon's "You're Gonna Make Me Love You," stiffed, as did the stomper "Reaching for the Best" and "Heaven Is Where You Are" which comes off like a third rate "Bad Luck," with the high hats and brass. Brenda Reid's voice, similar to that of Gene Chandler, is good but not great, sounding flat at times. It doesn't help that Levine uses sparse orchestration on most cuts. "Suffering," a Herb Rooney composition, is one of the few tracks sweetened with strings. The most interesting song is "Take a Look Back Through History," not for its rhythm or beat, but for its storyline about famous past love affairs. Reid's son, L.A. Reid, has enjoyed the success and monetary rewards that his mom sought before he was even a glimmer in her eyes. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Product Details

Release Date:	09/07/2018
Label:	20Th Century / Essential Media Group
UPC:	0894232654625
Rank:	168080

Tracks

1. Heaven Is Wherever You Are
2. You're Gonna Make Me Love You
3. Swallow Your Pride
4. Love You Baby
5. Take a Look Back Through History
6. Reaching for the Best
7. It's the End of the Storm
8. Suffering
9. Heaven Heaven Heaven
10. Soul Over the Horizon
11. Keep On Reachin'

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Exciters   Primary Artist