Stylistics "Lion Sleeps Tonight"

[normvork]

I saw a 12" copy of The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Stylistics but did not buy it. I have never heard this version of the song. I expect it is a remake of the Tokens oldie. Does anyone remember or know if this was a good disco record? Have I never heard about it cuz it was truly bad and nobody cared?

[Disco Funk]

Here's a link to the allmusicguide page for a CD compilation with the track on it. There's an audio sample you can listen to:

Best of Stylistics

Personally, I like the track. It's a nice uptempo number. I thought it was from '75 or '76 but it was actually released sometime in '78. That may be why it didn't do well - it sounded antiquated compared to other tracks of the day.

Disco Funk

[eddie]

It's a remake of the pop standard with Russel Thompkins singing high into the clouds. It wasn't my cup of tea but I'm not big on pop standards being remade into a disco form. I don't think uptempo numbers were the Stylistics forte'. Now ballads on the otherhand were and they have plenty of those.

[Disco Funk]

Originally Posted by eddie

It's a remake of the pop standard with Russel Thompkins singing high into the clouds. It wasn't my cup of tea but I'm not big on pop standards being remade into a disco form. I don't think uptempo numbers were the Stylistics forte'. Now ballads on the otherhand were and they have plenty of those.

I agree. Russell Tompkins for me is good in small doses, and his feminine sound works best on the ballads, but the group did do some good uptempo numbers. Ones that I personally like include:

Hey Girl Come & Get It (this song is way too short. It actually sounds like they hard edited it in the middle, if you listen carefully.)
I Can't Give You Anything
I Can't Help Falling In Love
Less discoey, and more uptempo soul:
Heavy Falling Out
Rock & Roll Baby.

I think their versions of Disco Baby and Love Is The Answer are pretty bad. I've never really liked the way their songs were mixed, either. The echo and sound quality sounds like they used 3rd generation copies to come up with the final mix. Too much middle.

Disco Funk