Chi-Lites - Toby

Today's Classic Soul Corner.. Chi-lites' Toby.
Man, i love this group.
Chicago-based quartet was one of the few from the 70s period not to come from Memphis or Philly. This was the title track from their 1974 release.
"The song should have made this LP financially viable, but as enchanting and beautiful as it is, the tale was morbid (Toby gets killed) and it didn't burn any rubber on the charts. The insightful "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table)" was also expected to do some serious damage, but didn't fare as well as "Toby." Both were excellent examples of lead singer, writer and producer Eugene Record's immense creativity. A remake of Roberta Flack's "First Time (Ever I Saw Your Face)" rivaled the original. The public didn't think much of this release, as it only dented Billboard's Top 200 LP Chart at #181." - All Music