During the period of Philadelphia International's 70s dominance of the airwaves, it was clear that the O'Jays were the foundation of the house.  The contrast of the gruff, electrifying voice of Eddie Levert and the mellifluous tones of Walter Williams gave the group the ability to masterfully handle the funkiest cuts Gamble & Huff could throw at them and yet also handle ballads beautifully.  They generally received the best songs and the most creative Gamble & Huff arrangements, with far more hits than misses.  Songs like "For The Love of Money," "Livin' For the Weekend," and the classic "Use Ta Be My Girl" all appeared to be a year or two ahead of what everyone else was doing, and made each new O'Jays release an event.   And, as the vehicle for G&H's social statements, the group released some of the most intelligent, relevant album cuts of the decade.  Their mid-70s albums, especially Ship Ahoy, are worth seeking out.  

As the 70s ended, the Gamble & Huff sound became more familiar -- even formulaic -- but the O'Jays' albums continued to include fine material and always wonderful vocal performances.  Generally forgotten early 80s releases such as When Will I See You Again and Love and More featured some of the group's best ballads, but found a more limited audience acceptance.  With their crossover days were behind them, the O'Jays began focusing on writing more of their own material and continued to adjust to changes in the sound of popular black music, ultimately leaving the Gamble & Huff fold.  They continued to score sporadic hits, such as the rap-introed "Have You Had Your Love Today" and the gospel-like cover of Bob Dylan's "Emotionally Yours." During that period Eddie Levert also made a terrific album with son Gerald, who was then a rising solo star and leader of the popular group Levert.  

The O'Jays have continued to record, releasing For the Love..., a surprisingly strong 2001 disc that featured the hit "Let's Ride."   In 2004 they signed a multi-disc recording contract  with Matthew Knowles' (Beyonce's father) Sanctuary Urban Records and issued Imagination.  Gamble and Huff also unearthed some old O'Jays recordings from the 70s and released them, against the group's wishes, in early 2004 under the title Together We Are One. 

Tragedy struck the Levert family with the deaths of Eddie's sons Gerald and Sean in 2007 and 2008, as O'Jays fans around the world mourned with him.

In 2008, the O'Jays celebrated their 50th anniversary together.  With Levert living in Las Vegas and Williams in Cleveland, the group's founders continue working both together and separately.  Williams is currently recording a solo album of classic R&B songs, scheduled for release in late 2008 or early 2009.

By Chris Rizik