Soul Generation emerged from the soul‑soaked streets of Jersey City in 1970, and is still going strong more than a half century later. Originally named The Citations, the quartet featured lead singer Cliff Perkins, along with vocalist Earl Davenport, Thomas Timmons and Herman Hammonds. While early gigs under that name didn’t spark much buzz, Perkins’ unshakable vision kept the dream alive.
Enter Doc Bagby, the jazz luminary who urged a name change—and perhaps destiny—aided by his introduction to Ben E. King. Though their first recording, “Chicago Woman,” never saw release, the stage was set. When Jeff Burgess replaced Timmons and connected them with songwriter Paul Kyser, the group found its signature spark: “Body and Soul (That’s the Way It’s Got to Be),” a sultry flame written and produced by Kyser.
When major record companies passed on the hit, the group founded Ebony Sound Records with Posner Group backing, and releases the single, which shot up Billboard’s R&B charts, defying odds for an independent release. The accompanying album, Beyond Body and Soul, arrived later that year, sparking additional hits with “Million Dollars” and “Ray of Hope.”
1974’s “I Wonder What She’s Doin’,” penned by Vincent, and 1975’s “Praying for a Miracle,” written by Van McCoy, kept the momentum before tragedy struck – the sudden passing of Earl Davenport. Michael Murphy stepped in as the group pressed on through the disco shift. After a phase as a trio, Soul Generation signed to Buddah Records, collaborated with Tony Camilio, and produced soulful covers like “Close to You” alongside originals such as “Stop Look & Listen,” “Take My Word For It Baby,” and “One Thing On My Mind.” These tracks later appeared on The Tony Camilio Project CD.
When disco’s downturn dimmed their light, the group went on hiatus in 1983, though Perkins continued working in music, supporting other artists like Ray, Goodman & Brown through the ’80s and ’90s. The mid‑1990s revival of classic soul gave Perkins the opportunity to bring the group back to life with a new lineup, recording Cliff’s own II Class Records and performing regularly at festivals and multi-group concerts. And Cliff Perkins and Soul Generation continue to please fans to this day.
