Originally,
One Way came out as Al Hudson & the Soul Partners and recorded a few interesting, but unsuccessful albums for ABC Records. They were then, and are now, a self-contained act, though the original name suggests a standup vocal group. Essentially, Midwest wonders, they never crossed over, and never got as big as predicted on the R&B circuit, despite having a devastating live act. They should have added their bassist/falsetto tenor, Kevin McCord to the title; he contributes as much as
Hudson &
Myers, if not more.
This best of compilation ignores their Al Hudson & the Soul Partner days, and is top heavy with upbeat jams. Like an even handed boxer,
One Way could deliver a lethal blow with either hand, being equally as proficient on fast tunes or ballads. The slow jams take a back seat to upbeat cookers, but MCA did include "Something In the Past," and the love happy "Lady You Are"
One Way's jams had the juice of a live electrical wire: "Mr. Groove," "You Can Do It," "Pop It," and "Pull Fancy Dancer Pull" represents disco at its best. ~ Andrew Hamilton