The Five Stairsteps - Love's Happening

All Music Guide

Producer Curtis Mayfield gives the revamped Five Stairsteps a bouncy, younger sound on their sophomore release. Member Clarence Burke Jr. composed most of the songs on their first album; this time, Mayfield has the biggest say. Clarence sounded like he was crying on the first LP; on this release, Mayfield has eliminated most of the pain in his voice. Three Impression remakes get a half-hearted treatment by the Stairsteps. However, they excel on Mayfield's "Stay Close to Me" and the gorgeous, floating, testimonial "Baby Make Me Feel So Good." The backing vocals on "Baby" are unique to the Stairsteps; the chorus is sung in staccato blips with voices bouncing around the lead like pinballs. Unlike the remakes, these Mayfield compositions seemed tailored for the group. A common misconception with this LP is that Cubie played a major role -- he didn't. Cubie was only four or five years old when they waxed this; that's Cubie babbling on "New Dance Craze."

- Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide