Although he was born in Philadelphia and weaned on soul music, Russell Thompkins Jr. has always had an affinity for Jamaica. He also loves performing for Jamaicans.
On March 18, he gets reacquainted with his Caribbean ‘bredrin’ when he leads The New Stylistics on stage for the Reggae Meets Soul show at Coral Springs Center For The Performing Arts.
The trio, which formed just over 10 years ago, headlines the event which also features J C Lodge, Kashief Lindo, Eric “Monty” Morris, Yishka and Michael Russell.
“Love Jamaica, I used to go there every year in the 1970s. I still have a lot of good friends there,” said the lanky Thompkins.
At that time, he was a member of The Stylistics, which had a number of hit songs such as Betcha by Golly Wow, Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart, You Are Everything and People Make The World go Round.
Those classic tracks were produced by Thom Bell, a Jamaica-born maestro who helped create the Philly soul sound.
“I met Tommy when I was 18. It was great working with him because we learned so much from him and Kenny (Gamble) and Leon (Huff). It was a magical time,” said Thompkins, who left The Stylistics in 2000 after 22 years.
The treasured songs co-written by Bell and Linda Creed dominate The New Stylistics’ set. Thompkins says he and his colleagues are busy throughout the year, performing in intimate venues and on old school festivals.
They attract loyal fans from their heyday as well as new fans who discovered them through social media or through their parents.
Russell Thompkins Jr. grew up listening to stylists like Sarah Vaughn and artists from Motown such as The Temptations. When The Stylistics formed in 1968, the Philadelphia soul scene was red-hot, thanks to groups like The Delfonics.
As lead singer for The Stylistics, he achieved fame with Bell as their meticulous director. The quartet’s self-titled debut album was released in 1971 and contained hits like Betcha by Golly Wow and Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart which have been covered by elite acts like Michael McDonald and Prince.
Their follow-up album, Round 2, came out the next year and produced the hits, I’m Stone in Love With You and Break Up to Make Up.
Thompkins never tires of singing those songs, which he will do once again at Reggae Meets Soul.
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