The Futures

Hailing from Philadelphia, the Futures crafted strong recordings, yet fortune never favored the quintet. Frank Washington, Kenny Crew, James King, John King, and Henry McGilberry modeled themselves after the Temptations. Their debut single, “Breaking Up” b/w “Our Thing,” surfaced on Amjo Records in 1970; Richard Wright, now deceased, handled lead vocals alongside a lineup that differed in most respects from the names listed above. Avalanche Records reissued the Amjo single the next year. “Love Is Here” followed on the Gamble label operated by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, a graceful composition that spotlighted a searing falsetto, McGilberry’s resonant bass, and intricate harmonies yet received only scattered airplay; the Dramatics later cut a weaker rendition for their album 10 1/2.

After Gamble Records folded, the group compounded the setback by moving to Buddah Records instead of Philadelphia International. Their opening Buddah single, “(That’s) The Way of a Woman in Love” b/w “Grade A Woman,” appeared in January 1974 and met complete indifference. The follow-up, “No One Could Compare” b/w “You Better Be Careful,” likewise vanished without trace while the O’Jays and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes flourished on Philadelphia International and the Spinners along with the Stylistics capitalized on similar productions.

Buddah issued the group’s third single, “Castles,” in June 1975, extending the run of commercial disappointments. The label also released the Futures’ first album, Castles in the Sky, later that year; it omitted the two earlier singles and received virtually no promotional support. Barbara Mason supplied the final Buddah single, “We Got Love,” which led to a sparsely publicized tour alongside Philly’s First Lady of Soul.

The Futures returned to Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International in 1978, though the label’s peak period had passed. Their initial release there, “Part Time Party Time Man,” stood as their strongest performer—an upbeat dancer boasting an outstanding vocal—yet it failed to climb the charts. The engaging follow-up “Ain’t No Time for Nothing” preceded three additional singles, among them “Mr. Bojangles.” Philadelphia International issued two albums, Past Present & the Futures and the little-known Greetings of Peace.

Warped Records put out the group’s last recordings in 1982: “Let’s Get to It” b/w “Young & Tender” and “Angel in Disguise” b/w “Betcha Come Back.” McGilberry joined the Temptations in 1996, replacing Ray Davies, who had replaced Melvin Franklin.