The Intruders - Cowboys to Girls: The Best of the Intruders (CD)

All Music Guide

The prototype for Gamble Huff's classic Philly soul groups of the early '70s, the Intruders didn't spend much time in the pop Top 40 -- especially compared to heavy-hitters like the O'Jays or Harold Melvin the Blue Notes -- but their smooth performances and Gamble Huff's strong arrangements usually triumphed over the occasional novelty-ridden nature of their songs. The title track, "Cowboys to Girls," isn't a novelty by any means; it's one of the paragons of soul music, a delicious blend of subtle strings, punchy brass, and crystal harmonies from the group, with Samuel "Little Sonny" Brown's strong lead keeping it all together. The follow-up (and their only other Top 40 hit), "(Love Is Like A) Baseball Game," was a novelty, but a good one, as were the RgB hits "A Love That's Real" and "(Win, Place or Show) She's a Winner." At 20 tracks, Cowboys to Girls: The Best of the Intruders has room for all the Intruders' hits, including a few engaging latter-day entries like 1969's "Sad Girl"... and 1970's "When We Get Married" (the latter during Bobby Starr's brief tenure at the head of the group). - John Bush, All Music Guide Read more Less