The Futures - Past, Present And The Futures (1978/2011)

Past, Present and the Futures Review by Andrew Hamilton
Kudos to the producers, musicians, writers, and the Futures for this effort. The record business has problems when an invigorating dancer like "Part-Time Party Time Man," fails to bust the Top 40. It was a minor hit in the Philly/New York area but ignored virtually everywhere else. Felix Hernandez played it at his Rhythm Revue Dance in New York recently and had to add it to permanent rotation. The storyline is about a guy who works hard all week, then transforms into a party animal on the weekends. "Ain't No Time Fa Nothing," is an excellent dancer with a killer intro and hearty vocals. Their five-man lineup resembles the Temptations' voices, from falsetto to the uncannily low bass of Henry McGilberry, who joined the Temptations in 1996. "Deep Inside Me" features the same excellent falsetto that led to their first Gamble & Huff recording "Love Is Here" (not included here), on Gamble Records in 1972. They romance that special lady on "Sunshine and You" and "Someone Special," two warm floaters. Also included is "I Wanna Know: Is It Over," a hurtin' tune with a spoken intro and refined harmonies.