Young, Tough And Terrible (2023 reissue)
ORG Music, 2023
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Generation_(band)
REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/12/2023
The Chicago soul outfit The Lost Generation only existed for a few short years, but they made quite an impression with a pair of albums that were full of powerful harmonies and funk-filled moments. 
Young, Tough And Terrible, their final record, released in 1972, landed on the esteemed Brunswick Records, but has been out of print for 50 years now. This reissue, assembled from the original tapes and mastered for vinyl, shines a light on a true masterpiece of soul music.
The extremely smooth “This Is The Lost Generation” opens the listen with soaring strings, light drums and gentle winds making for a very calming climate. “Tired Of Being Alone” then follows with more emphasis on guitar, as the dreamy bouts are met with a playful jangle the welcomes cozy backing vocals.
Further in the first half, “You've Got To Crawl Before You Walk” uses percussion strategically alongside the bright and expressive singing, and “Sure Is Funky” exits Side A with indeed plenty of funk via the well timed brass and animated bass lines.
“The Young, Tough And Terrible” opens the back half with a finger-snapping, orchestral-tinted album highlight of sublime and harmonic singing, though “Paulette” is a close second with its bright drumming, mesmerizing piano and flawless singing that makes the most of every note. “One More Bridge To Cross,” the last tune with vocals, arrives near the end and embraces a gospel spirit and infectious energy that’s dance floor friendly.
The band consisted of the vocalists Lowrell Simon, Fred Simon, Larry Brownlee and Jesse Dean. It’s hard not to imagine what The Lost Generation could have become had they stayed together, ’cause this is some of the best music made in the ’70s.