by Ed Hogan
Billy Paul's sole effort for Lonnie Simmons' Total Experience records (the Gap Band, Yarbrough and Peoples) saw the jazzy Philly soul singer slide smoothly from a live band/orchestra backing as on his sides for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records to a synth/keyboard-based musical backdrop. Production on Lately was shared between Paul and Total Experience staff producers/songwriters Jonah Ellis and Oliver Scott. The standout tracks were his covers of &On a Clear Day,& &I Only Have Eyes for You& -- a steppers' favorite -- the ethereal ballad &Let Me In,& &Get Down to Lovin',& &Hot Date,& and &Sexual Therapy,& which is very similar to Marvin Gaye's &Sexual Healing.&