RUSSELL THOMPKINS JR. RELEASES ALBUM

"Going Solo"

By the hit songwriting team of Melvin Steals, Mervin Steals, and McKinley Jackson.

Today, legendary soul singer Russell Thompkins Jr. (The Stylistics) releases the fresh, new album “Going Solo,” a smooth, stirring single graced with old-school charm. Produced by prominent tandem of Melvin & Mervin Steals (The Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”) and their business partner McKinley Jackson (arranger/producer from Detroit and along with the Steals Brothers a cowriter of “10%,” Grammy Awards 2020 “Best Dance Recording” winner) on their MoPhilly International Record label.

A sheen of jangly guitar, whirling keys, relaxed drums and caresses of flute and sax launches “Say Hello,” building the anticipation for when Thompkins lets loose with that famed falsetto and soothing tenor that helped sell more than a few million records. “Say hello to the fool who has broken all the rules and now has nothing,” is his attention-grabbing opening line, setting the tone that’s powerfully relatable to anyone whose mistakes or misdeeds prompted a remarkable love to leave. Each towering note from Thompkins, counterbalanced by backing harmonies, strikes a feeling of regret and remorse paired with some hard-earned, cautionary wisdom to be shared.

The song, currently available on www.stealsbrosclassics.com and others like Amazon, Apple, and Spotify in the coming days, is primed to spark a resurgence for the Philly native, whose lead vocals with The Stylistics in the early 1970’s led to five Billboard Top-10s, You Are Everything,” Betcha By Golly Wow,” “I’m Stone In Love With You,” “Break Up To Make UP,” and the gold-certified ballad “You Make Me Feel Brand New.”

In 1972, Russell’s iconic voiced inspired Melvin & Melvin Steals to write a song for The Stylistics, drive to Philadelphia and present it to Thom Bell. On the way out of Bell’s office, Mervin abruptly returned to Bell’s piano, sat down and played “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” while Melvin sang the lyrics. Afterwards Bell told them to put it on the reel-to-reel tape with the first song they presented. Whereas The Stylistics did not record either one, The Spinners did record the second tune.

The Spinners’ smash hit would not only achieve diamond-selling status (10 million copies), but also spurred a 50-year quest by the brothers to get Russell’s timeless voice on one or more of their compositions. Together at last with a beautifully orchestrated track by the Motor City’s gifted and talented arranger/producer McKinley Jackson, all parties involved are delighted to have produced a melodious song with a MoPhilly flair. So say hello to "Going Solo", an album poised to make you sing and sway along, awash in its alluring rhythms and heartfelt emotions.