Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2K7 in Montego Bay, St. James.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Soul music never dies. No matter how long ago you heard that certain tune it always remains fresh in your mind. Russell Thompkins and the Stylistics have recorded some of the more classic tunes appreciated by local fans, and at the recent Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2007, held at the Aqueduct, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, fans sang along word for word as the quartet brought back those good old-time feelings.

For over 30 years, Russell Thompkins wooed women with his strong vocals as head of the Stylistics, singing hits such as Stop, Look, Listen and You Make Me Feel Brand New. Thompkins distinctive falsetto was the driving force and the backbone of the original Stylistics, and it earned them seven gold albums, a double platinum album, eight platinum albums, four platinum singles, five gold singles and two double gold singles, along with a Grammy nomination in 1974 for You Make Me Feel Brand New and a plaque on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Surprising response

Despite being such an accomplished musician and having performed in Jamaica numerous times, the response to his music surprises him every time. Thompkins "It's fantastic this year to be a part of this festival. It is almost like nothing I've ever done before in my life and I've been in some great shows."

It is the sheer reaction of the audience to his music that keeps him coming back. "First of all, it's the magnitude of going on stage and seeing how many people were out there. Then when I'm singing my songs, to listening to how people knew the words and still remember our music, that was one of the most fantastic things," he said.

Thompkins and the New Stylistics are still going strong, with huge plans for 2007. "My plan is to stay alive and to continue to make as much music as we can. We're working on new DVDs, an album of my own and a new Stylistics album," he said.