Originating in Chicago, the C.O.D.'s exploded on soul radio in 1965 with the infectious Michael the Lover on Kellmac Records. The Mad Lads and the Jackson Five, among others, redid the boastful tune; J5 cut the tune in the late '60s, but Motown iced it. Ruby Stackhouse accompanies the trio on the song, supplying backing vocals alongside Larry Brownlee, Robert Lewis, and Carl Washington, otherwise known as the C.O.D.'s.

I'm A Good Guy followed Michael the Lover but not far. For unknown reasons, Kellmac then released the C.O.D.'s third single, I'll Come Running Back to You b/w I'm Looking out for Me, twice; the singles have two different catalog numbers, but it made no difference; neither sold. The fifth single, It Must Be Love b/w She's Fire, dropped in 1967 but faded after a few spins. A sixth and final release, Coming Back Girl, became the fifth and final flop, ending the C.O.D.'s and Kellmac Records.

Brownlee joined Lost Generation and co-wrote soul treasures such as Sly, Slick Wicked (1970) -- an influential song that's been remade many times -- and inspired some '70s groups to name themselves SSW. Brownlee also collaborated on Talking the Teenage Language, You're So Young but You're So True, and Wait a Minute. Problems with Brunswick's hierarchy ended Lost Generation's career after four years. Unable to use the name, Brownlee revived the C.O.D.'s, who notched another flop on Magic Touch Records in 1976.

Next, Brownlee hooked with Mystique, a group led by Ralph Johnson, who sang with the Impressions from 1973 to '76. Mystique scored a minor hit but never really took off; Mystique disbanded after four Curtom singles (all in 1977). A talented songwriter, Brownlee has 59 titles registered with BMI, including Lowrell's 1979 hit Mellow, Mellow Right On, but, sadly, Brownlee passed in 1978 and never knew. Emase Records reissued Michael the Lover, and Soultown Records released I'm a Good Guy; however, neither sold. A Mystique CD is available on Sequel Records, and Demon Records has issued a Lost Generation compilation of their two Brunswick albums with three bonus tracks, but still nothing has been released on CD for the C.O.D's. ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi