Album of the Day

Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson penned enough hits for Motown in the 1960s that they could have retired off of the royalties; fortunately, they continued their winning ways as performers in the following decade. The husband-and-wife team's writing, production and performing talents are showcased to excellent effect on the 1978 Warner Bros. collection IS IT STILL GOOD TO YA. And in answer to that, it's very good indeed: “It Seems To Hang On,” "Get Up And Do Something” and the title track rank with the most sensuously romantic and irresistibly danceable R&B of the decade. Valerie Simpson celebrates a birthday today, and we'll wish her a happy one with the sparkling IS IT STILL GOOD TO YA.