‘Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia’ — The perfect Sweet Inspirations playlist

The Sweet Inspirations were one of the premier female harmony groups of the 1960s, supporting Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, and Wilson Pickett. Their most unified album statement is 1973's “Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia.” Produced by David Porter [songwriting partner of Isaac Hayes], the LP was recorded at the nadir of Stax Records’ influence on popular music and received little support from the label. Stick around as their greatest hits and essential songs are also dissected. Holding two red roses apiece and wearing white evening gowns above are Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shemwell. Art Direction by Ron Gorden / Concord Music Group / FECC Elvis-Collectors user Dr. John Carpenter

In 1973 the Sweet Inspirations, one of the premier vocal harmony quartets of the 20th century best known for supporting Elvis Presley in concert, decamped to Stax Studios in Memphis for the recording of their criminally neglected soul masterpiece, Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia.

The group came to prominence during the late ’60s, largely uncredited for backing scores of artists, regardless of genre classification, with a wholly original melding of pop, gospel, and soul sensibilities. The soul sisters were acknowledged with a long-awaited induction into the R&B Hall of Fame in 2014.

Led by Whitney Houston’s mother, first soprano Cissy Houston, the Sweets lent their sublime vocals to hit recordings by Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, The Rascals, Dusty Springfield, the Bee Gees, and one straight out of left field in the aughts — the Killers.

Their very own recording contract with Atlantic Records, chiefly due to their pioneering contributions to Franklin’s hit singles such as “[You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “Chain of Fools,” arrived at the dawn of 1967.

Inexplicably, the aptly titled “Sweet Inspiration” became their only major single, rising to No. 18 pop and No. 5 R&B in March 1968. Other…