It's never to early to praise the Sylvers -- just ask the dog

What should you do when the dog wakes you up an hour early and you can't get back to sleep?
I have been spending this unexpected "free time" listening to the SYLVERS.
Gone but not quite forgotten -- I'll explain why in a minute -- the Sylvers were a family group akin to the JACKSON 5, except the Sylvers were from Memphis and relocated to Southern California (instead of being from Gary, Ind., and relocating to Southern California).
OK, the main difference is that the Jacksons had more and bigger hits, but don't dismiss the Sylvers. in Leon Sylvers the family had a good songwriter.
Good enough that although you won't often hear Sylvers' singles such as "Boogie Fever" or "Fool's Paradise" on the radio these days, you will hear *parts* of Sylvers songs.
Here's why they are not quite forgotten: Hip-hop artists have made a killing sampling parts of Sylvers' songs. "It's Funky Enough" by The D.O.C. sampled Foster Sylvers's "Misdemeanor" and J Dilla's "Two Can Win" memorably sampled "Only One Can Win" from the Sylvers' debut album. Ghostface Killah and other rappers have also plundered the Sylvers' catalog.
They made an endearing style of soul music. I know, I've been listening to it for about an hour now, thanks to the dog.