Main Course

The Bee Gees: Maurice Gibb (vocals, guitar, bass); Barry Gibb (vocals, guitar); Robin Gibb (vocals).
Additional personnel: Arif Mardin (arranger); Alan Kendall (guitar, steel guitar); Donny Brooks (harmonica); Joe Farrell (tenor saxophone); Dennis Bryon (drums, percussion); Ray Baretto (congas).
Recorded at Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida; Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York.
MAIN COURSE marked an important development in the Bee Gees' career. Under the wing of producer Arif Mardin, the Gibbs turned their sound toward a funky pop/R&B amalgam not far removed from the concurrent Philly International soul sound. The album contained a few major hits; the groove-oriented "Jive Talkin'" and "Nights on Broadway" and the wistful ballad "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)." The semi-disco beats and synthesizer hooks that marked this album's production didn't crowd out the winsome love songs that had always been the band's stock in trade though, as shown by "Songbird" and the aforementioned "Fanny." MAIN COURSE paved the way for the phenomenal success the Bee Gees would achieve with their Saturday Night Fever-era work.