Smooth vocal harmonies and immaculately crafted songwriting were the key ingredients in the makings of Bread. The Los Angeles based group made some of the most appealing pop rock singles of its era that are still loved today. Any regular listener to their music of the 70s, would mention the hits that made them famous like, It don’t matter to me, Look what you’ve done, The last time, Friends and Lovers, all present on this album.

Members David Gates, James Griffin, Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel gave a soft groove to their music, keeping it subtle, to slightly soft rock. Gates the hit maker of the group began his string of melodic ballads with Make it with you, going onto favorites like Diary Baby I’m a want you, If, Let your love go, The Guitar man, Aubrey. The band also has the fabulous Everything I own (1972), a song also made famous by Boy George 15 years later. Their main instrument being the guitar, be it the acoustic or electric, the boys preferred it to the keyboard. The true rock sound could be felt on songs like the fast paced Down on my knees, Lost without your love.

In their heyday, a Bread song was a must have on any party playlist. Their winning streak of 20 best tracks is a collectors edition and a tribute to the band, who’s name when used as a slang means Money. They surely made a lot of it.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira