Soul — CDs  

Roy Ayers in a seductive mid 80s mode – his first for Columbia – and a record with some incredibly nice moments that blow away most of his contemporaries! The synth soul and drum machine era might seem like an odd fit for Roy's jazzy vibes, but it actually works really well here! You could argue that few players with a such profound jazz funk pedigree could pull off an 80s modern sound so succussfully – and we'd argue that Roy Ayers is indeed one of the few! If synths and programmed drums aren't your thing, this record is actually more heavily-weighted with laidback jazzy soul, with plenty of vibes and the usual warm sexy vocals from Roy. Includes the funky classic "Poo Poo La La", which has a great little monologue in it – plus "I Can't Help It", "Compadre", "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy", and "Love Is In The Feel". This 2012 FTG CD includes 3 bonus tracks: "In The Dark (7" Version)", "Poo Poo La La (Edit)" and "Love Is In The Feel (7" Version)".

Roy Ayers in a tight mid 80s funk mode – commanding a modern vibe really well, especially with his vibes so prominent in the sound! Although the sound's a step or two more modern than the Polydor years, Roy still sounds great – and he grooves nicely on this batch of tracks that mix his older jazz funk style with an 80s groove sound that has slight touches of electro. This mix of modes is really unique for the time, with Roy embracing the new school without completely letting go of his trailblazing personal approach. Jean Carn sings lead vocals on the cut "Can I See You", and the album also includes the nice stepper "Programmed For Love", plus "Virgo", "Night Flyte", and "For You", a smooth mellow cut that's got great vocals by Roy! This 2012 FTG edition features the rare single versions as bonus tracks – 6 in all, including "Programmed For Love (12" Extended Version)", "Hot (12" Version)", "Hot (Dub Mix)", "Slip N' Slide (7" Version) and more.

A sweet debut from soul singer Regina Belle – a nice dose of class and sophistication in the world of mid 80s R&B! Regina's got a well-developed style right from the start – the kind of poise that you might hear from someone like Phyllis Hyman, especially on the mellower cuts – with nice undercurrents of jazz that really help send the whole thing home – and really keep the album away from cloying commercial styles too! The set features some mighty nice instrumental elements alongside the vocals – including keyboards from Dexter Wansel and alto from Don Myrick – and titles include "Show Me The Way", "Intimate Relations", "Gotta Give It Up", "So Many Tears", "Please Be Mine", and "You Got The Love". CD features lots of bonus tracks – "Without You", "Show Me The Way (ext)", "You Got The Love (rmx)", "How Could You Do It To Me (rmx)", "So Many Tears (cool mix)", and "Show Me The Way (inst)".

Surprisingly nice work from Peter Brown – a groover who still managed to hit on all burners after his early years at TK Records! Brown's definitely got a crossover feel here – clubby rhythms, but topped with vocals that belie his look on the front – and which, along with the catchy grooves, should have done more than enough to get Peter some wider play with early 80s audiences. Yet there's also some key dancefloor craft here – no-nonsense approach to the bottom of the tunes, and never too much cloying production up top – which serves to keep things nice and lean, and plenty clean too. Titles include "Give Me Up", "Heaven In Your Eyes", "Shall We Dance", "Danger", "The Love Game", "Satisfaction Guaranteed", and "Baby Gets High". CD features bonus tracks – "Baby Gets High (7" mix)", "Baby Gets High (12" mix)", "Overnight Sensation (12" mix)", and "Overnight Sensation (inst)".

Sweet 80s disco from Peter Brown – proof that man still wants to get funky, even after most of his contemporaries had long left the dancefloor! The style here is as compellingly crossover as before – lots of lively rhythms that percolate with pop-inflected hooks – soul at the core, definitely, but with enough winning elements to keep Brown moving through the wider audiences that brought his initial fame. A few sweet moments almost seem to echo some of the best Euro club styles of the time – and titles include "Rock With Me", "Double Or Nothing", "Love Is Just The Game", "Classical Dancing", "Hot Flash", "They Only Come Out At Night", "Zie Zie Won't Dance", and "Electric Shoes". CD features lots of bonus mixes – including "Love Is Just The Game (inst)", "Love Is Just The Game (12" mix)", "They Only Come Out At Night (12" mix)", "They Only Come Out At Night (inst)", "Zie Zie Won't Dance (12" rmx)", and "Zie Zie Won't Dance (inst)".

A classic killer from trumpeter Tom Browne – a smoking set that still has all the jazz funk touches of his earlier records, yet which also picks up a bit of an electro vibe as well! The move here is a bit like that taken by some of Browne's labelmates on GRP at the time – particularly Bobby Broom and Bernard Wright – and offers up a great mix of jazzy roots and some of the newer sounds hitting the streets in the early 80s – a vibe that's maybe one of the first moments when older genres of music were beginning to show an influence from hip hop! Maurice Starr handles most of the production, and really makes things tight throughout – but Tom himself does a great job of keeping things interesting with the solos, augmenting the electric vibe with some rock-solid acoustic playing. Titles include "Rockin Radio", "Angeline", "Brighter Tomorrow", "Never My Love", "Mr Business", "Cruisin", and "Feel Like Makin Love". CD features bonus tracks – "Bye Gones (12" version)", "Rockin Radio (special 12" mix)", and "Cruisin (dub)".

A wonderful treasure from the early 80s soul scene – the first album from Champaign, and an instant winner right from the start! The group may not have been one of the bigger names of their time, but they really won a lot of favor with soul listeners over the years – and this album's one that turns up often in collections of top-shelf soul from the period – no surprise, given the classy, careful production – and the mix of jazzy riffing, tight rhythms, and well-crafted vocals – almost enough to put Champaign at the level of Earth Wind & Fire! The sound is just right – very soulful, with less of the too-commercial modes of some of their contemporaries – and titles include "Party People", "Whiplash", "I'm On Fire", "How Bout Us", "Can You Find The Time", "Dancin Together Again", "If One More Morning", and "Lighten Up". CD features bonus 7" versions of "How Bout Us" and "I'm On Fire".

A pair of great ones from this overlooked soul group from Illinois! Modern Heart is wonderful work from Champaign – a really self-contained group, and one who really rise above the rest of the early 80s soul scene! The album's got a tightness that's hard to beat – yet a sound that's never too slick or commercial either – kind of that best balance you'd find more in late 70s mainstream soul work, save for the fact that any upbeat numbers here have more of an 80s groove style than a disco one. The mellow tracks balance things out nicely, and show a deeper songwriting sound from the group than we might have expected – further testament to the strength of the album, along with the group's own arrangements and production. Titles include "Cool Running", "Party Line", "Try Again", "Let Your Body Rock", "Get It Again", "Love Games", and "Walkin". Woman In Flames is sweet, tight, and right on the money – a stellar bit of soul from Champaign – one of those great 80s groups who never seemed to get their due, but managed to make some really wonderful music right from the start! The album's got a slightly heavier production tip than before – arrangements from James Newton Howard that link Champaign a bit more to the sound of their mid 80s contemporaries – especially some of the other groups on Columbia. Yet there's also a healthy core to the album that comes from the group's own contributions – their continued strong sense of songwriting and performance, which makes their overall sound a lot less reliant on outside help than other groups of the period. Titles include "This Time", "Off & On Love", "Be Mine Tonight", "Mardi Gras", "Capture The Moon", "Woman In Flames", and "Intimate Strangers".

Soaring vocals from Angela Clemmons – a set that really has an amazing range, and a depth of sound that goes way past the usual from Epic Records at the time! Angela's got a way of stretching out right from the start – inflecting the lyrics with a rich power that easily matches or beats some of her bigger-name contemporaries at the time – and which really help give an extra something special to the record. Production is by Paul Leka, and a number of songs were written by Michael Brown – and the pair really help give the whole thing a personal feel, and keep the set from being just another run of the mill mainstream soul album from the early 80s. Titles include "Giving It Away", "Fill You Up", "Uneasy", "When You're Through I'll Be Waiting", "Mine", and "Sure Thing". CD features two bonus tracks – "Out Here On My Own (7" mix)", and "Give Me Just A Little More Time (12" mix)".

A bouncy little set from Angela Clemmons – a record that's got a bit more beats at the bottom than some of her previous outings – but in a way that seems to only make things sound even groovier overall! There's a number of catchy groovers that help the set take off right from the start – tunes that are playful, and maybe a bit aimed at the charts – yet which still let Angie soar on those magnificent vocals of hers. Titles include "One Night Baby", "Miracles", "Love Life", "BYOB", "Nothing Can Stop My Love", "I Could Love You Better", and "Rock & A Hard Place". CD features two bonus tracks – "BYOB (12" mix)" and "This Is Love (inst)".

A great mix of R&B and reggae – a hip early album from The Cool Notes – a UK group who never broke that big on our shores, but who have a sound that's held up well over the years! The rhythms here are often in a midtempo mode, with some Jamaican echoes – and the lead vocals are often backed up with lots of harmonies that more than live up to the group's name. Production is never too polished – which helps keep the album away from any too-commercial reggae-flavored crossover work of the period – and titles include "Travelling", "I Forgot How To Love You", "Rich Man Poor Man", "The Second Time Around", "Save A Little Love", "No More Wars", and "Brixton Town". Bonus tracks include "Blown It", "Morning Child (12" version)", "I Forgot How To Love You (orig 1980 disco version)", and "Jah Lovely Jah Wonderful Jah Marvelous".

A crossover classic from Deborah Cox – a record that's filled with plenty of tuneful tracks, yet sung with a surprising depth of soul! Production is top-shelf on most numbers – and is often in that great 90s mode that's reintroducing warmer sounds that had slipped out of soul music the decade before – yet still working with just the right sort of bottom beats to keep the music contemporary. Cox really shines in this setting – free to really stretch out her vocals, even on grooves so great she could have gotten away with a lot less. Titles include "I'm Your Natural Woman", "My Radio", "Never Gonna Break My Heart Again", "My First Night With You", "Just Be Good To Me", "The Sound Of My Tears", "Who Do You Love", and "Sentimental". This version features a massive amount of bonus tracks – not just the few on the original CD release, but 15 more tracks brought into this package – featuring loads of remixes and other mixes of album tracks – including work by David Morales, Driza Bone, Mass Ave, Chucky Thompson, and others!

Stellar grooves from Charles Earland – a great mix of jazz, soul, and funk – put together in a way that's quite different from his previous records on Prestige or Mercury Records! The sound here is tight 80s soul – put together by Tom Tom Washington, who gives the whole thing a sophisticated Chicago vibe – and one that matches Charles' sweet keyboard solos with wickedly sharp rhythms, and some occasional vocal bits too. Singers include Larry Blackmon, TC Campell, and Charles himself – but there's still a focus that seems to be more on the instrumentation overall – served up with some mighty nice organ lines from Earland. Titles include "The Only One", "Marcia's Waltz", "You Belong To Me", "Never Knew Love Like This Before", "Guilty", "Laser Lips", "Earland's Jam", and "Animal". CD features "Never Knew Love Like This Before (single)", "Guilty (single)", "Animal (12" version)", and "The Only One (12" version)".

A great little groover from keyboardist Charles Earland – and an album that definitely lives up to its title! There's plenty of street sounds going on here – lots of modern R&B modes that echo the changing styles of early 80s soul music, especially on the east coast! And as part of that, there's a good deal of vocals on the record, alongside Charles' keyboards – work by singers who include Larry Hancock, Bruce Gray, and Sheryl Kendrick – each of whom adds plenty to the record, working over jazzy grooves nicely scored by Earland. Titles include "Be My Lady", "Take Me Away", "Feels So Good To Me", "Burning Devotion", "Tell Me What It Is", and "Go All The Way". CD features a bonus track – "Be My Lady (7" mix)".

A great example of why we always reach for our Rodney Franklin records time and time again over the years – as there's few other players who could serve up a blend of soul and jazz this well! The album's got a great balance of electric and acoustic, that instantly-warm style that Franklin virtually invented on these classic Columbia recordings – with plenty of care to avoid falling into fusion cliches that were either too jamming, or too clunkily commercial. Rodney plays a host of keys himself – including Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano – and the set features some nice lead vocals from Darryl Coley and Phyllis St James – but also gives plenty of space for instrumental focus, with some tracks that are longer than usual for Franklin. Titles include the gentle stepper "One From The Heart", plus "Fiesta", "Destiny", "Song For You", "Skydance", and "Children".

Soaring soul from The Futures – a Philly group who'd already worked for years in the underground before cracking the racks with this debut LP in 1975 – schooled strongly in their best vocal modes from previous singles, and ready to unleash the best side of their sound on the world! The set's got a perfectly put-together style that's much more like some of the Philly vocal work on Atlantic of Philadelphia International at the time – although also not as commercial, thanks to a righteous undercurrent in the group's presentation and overall aesthetic – hinted at by their image on the cover! Arrangements are by David Van DePitte and Wade Marcus, who also echo a bit of Detroit styles too – particularly the righteous blend of The Temptations towards the end of their Motown years. The Futures are equally great on mellow cuts and stormers – and titles include Castles", "Do Unto Others", "Ninety Days (In The House Of Love Correction)", "I Had A Dream", "Love Will Be Around Forever", and "Super Love". Plus, the CD features 7 bonus tracks – duets with Barbara Mason on "We Got Each Other" and "Make It Last" – plus "No One Could Compare", "Grade A Woman", "The Way Of A Woman In Love", "Castles (single version)", and "You Better Be Certain".

Bold 80s soul from Jermaine Jackson – a set that's heavy on beats and keyboards, but which still leaves enough space for his gentler-toned vocals! The upbeat tracks here sometimes get a bit dramatic, which makes us like the ballads more – sweeter-styled numbers that are much better suited to Jermaine's singing approach – but even those upbeat numbers show the Jackson family ear for crossover soul! Titles include "Give A Little Love", "Precious Moments", "Our Love Story", "I Think It's Love", "Voices In The Dark", "Words Into Action", and "Do You Remember Me". CD features lots of bonus tracks – including "Do You Remember Me (Bruce Forest rmx)", "Closest Thing To Perfect (ext)", "I Think It's Love (ext rmx)", "Do You Remember Me (Michael Omartin rmx)", and "Do You Remember Me (Jellybean rmx)".

A smoking second album from Rebbie Jackson – a set that has Rebbie working with strong production help from two of the bigger aspects of the Columbia Records soul family in the 80s – Tito Jackson and Reggie Lucas, who each handle a handful of songs along with David Conley and Howie Rice. The album's got a bubbly, perky approach to soul – almost more catchy and beat-heavy than Jackson's debut for the label, with cuts that include "Reaction", "Ticket To Love", "Ain't No Way To Love", "Lessons In The Fine Art Of Love", "Always Wanting Something", "You Send The Rain Away", and "If You Don't Call". CD features loads of bonus tracks – including "You Send The Rain Away (single)", "Reaction (single)", "Reaction (ext dance)", "Reaction (dub)", "Reaction (inst)", "Ticket To Love (7" mix)", and "Ticket To Love (12" mix)".

A smoking second album from Rebbie Jackson – a set that has Rebbie working with strong production help from two of the bigger aspects of the Columbia Records soul family in the 80s – Tito Jackson and Reggie Lucas, who each handle a handful of songs along with David Conley and Howie Rice. The album's got a bubbly, perky approach to soul – almost more catchy and beat-heavy than Jackson's debut for the label, with cuts that include "Reaction", "Ticket To Love", "Ain't No Way To Love", "Lessons In The Fine Art Of Love", "Always Wanting Something", "You Send The Rain Away", and "If You Don't Call". CD features loads of bonus tracks – including "You Send The Rain Away (single)", "Reaction (single)", "Reaction (ext dance)", "Reaction (dub)", "Reaction (inst)", "Ticket To Love (7" mix)", and "Ticket To Love (12" mix)".

One of the few secular soul albums ever cut by Genobia Jeter – a gospel singer who broke into R&B with this smooth mid 80s effort – a mix of tracks handled by different producers, taking Genobia from mellow quiet storm numbers into more club-oriented groovers. Hubert Eaves handles some of the most uptempo work on the set, and Genobia also gets backing from Robert Wright and Lesette Wilson, both of whom use a similar keyboard-driven groove to Eaves' sound. Titles include "Together", "Sunshine", "Peace Of Mind", "Take A Look", "All Of My Love", and "We Got Love". CD features four bonus tracks – an edit, remix, and dub of "Together" – plus an instrumental take on "All Of My Love".

One of the few secular soul albums ever cut by Genobia Jeter – a gospel singer who broke into R&B with this smooth mid 80s effort – a mix of tracks handled by different producers, taking Genobia from mellow quiet storm numbers into more club-oriented groovers. Hubert Eaves handles some of the most uptempo work on the set, and Genobia also gets backing from Robert Wright and Lesette Wilson, both of whom use a similar keyboard-driven groove to Eaves' sound. Titles include "Together", "Sunshine", "Peace Of Mind", "Take A Look", "All Of My Love", and "We Got Love". CD features four bonus tracks – an edit, remix, and dub of "Together" – plus an instrumental take on "All Of My Love".

A tight little album from Tamiko Jones – one of the most enigmatic singers to come out of the south, stepping proud here in a sound that's almost in the Hotlanta vein! Tamiko's working with an assortment of Muscle Shoals musicians on the set – and the style of the album is a mixture of southern and modern soul modes – handled with a warm finish that reminds us of Gwen McCrae's best late 70s work, especially that on her Melody Of Life album, or some of the best work from Loleatta Holloway's pre-club years! There's a nice groove to the best cuts – one that works perfectly with Tamiko's surprisingly deep vocals – and tracks include "Oh How I Love You", "Long Way To Go", "Creepin'", "Chili Dog", "Touch Me Baby", "Read Me Right", and "Let Me In Your Life".

A great later album from the Juicy duo – very much in the tightly grooving mode of their debut, thanks to continued production work by Deodato! The style's smooth, focused, and sharp-edged – but all without sounding too chart-oriented or clunky – and although the beats are electric, and supported with plenty of keyboards, there's a nice sense of warmth to the record overall – a key hallmark of Deodato's sensitivity in the studio. All tracks are originals by the Juicy team of Jerry and Katreese Barnes, and guests on the record include Chaka Khan and Bernard Wright. Titles include "Make You Mine", "All Work No Play", "Show & Tell", "After Loving You", "Private Party", "Serious", and "Midnight Love". CD features bonus tracks – "All Work No Play (all work mix)", "All Work No Play (all play mix)", and "All Work No Play (going left)".

An 80s soul classic from Kashif – an artist who really helped transform R&B at the time, all without the benefit of a last name! The album's completely arranged and produced by Kashif himself – cementing the reputation he'd begun working behind other artists in the earlier part of the decade before going onto greater fame as a solo act on his own – a rock-solid approach to soul music that bristles with the best innovations of the 80s soul generation. Most tunes are heavy on beats, but use them in just the right ways – and keyboards provide a good amount of the rest of the instrumentation, but fleshed out strongly so that they work well next to the vocals. Tunes are a nicely balanced blend of mature male soul and some slightly catchier groovers – and titles include "Botha Botha", "Dancing In The Dark", "Movie Song", "Say You Love Me", "Stay The Night", and "Condition Of The Heart". CD features three bonus tracks – "Condition Of The Heart (ext version)", "Love On The Rise (extended)", and "Love On The Rise (inst)".

Classic 80s soul from Johnny Kemp – a sweet-voiced singer who steps out beautifully on this Columbia debut! Johnny's got a sound that's somewhat informed by some of the crossover soul of a few years back – but although his music is commercial, it's still got plenty going on at the bottom – a catchy mid 80s approach to the dancefloor, with lots of bouncing basslines, stepping rhythms, and sweet keyboard bits! The mellow songs are almost as great as the groovers – thanks to the sensitivity of Kemp's vocals – and titles include "Just Another Lover", "Can't Get Enough", "Anything Worth Having", "All Night", "Cover Girl", "Bring Your Love Around", and "Penthouse Lover". Bonus tracks include "Cover Girl (voc 12")", "Cover Girl (7" version)", "Cover Girl (inst)", "Anything Worth Having (inst)", "Anything Worth Having (7" version)", "Just Another Lover (ext rmx)", "Just Another Lover (inst)", and "Just Another Lover (7" version)".

Poppy passion from Krystol – a sweet 80s trio with a definite way with a hook! The set's got a well-balanced mainstream sound – one that helps the vocals find a fullness right away, either on the leads or harmonies – both woven together over the top of the tight, beat-heavy grooves! At points, there's almost a retro vibe – as if an older girl trio mode's being revived for a new 80s scene – but with a definite contemporary spin. There's a decidedly commercial appeal to the sound – but Krystol were also never too overplayed back in the day, which makes the album a nice discovery – and a great surprise when you start digging through all the potential singles on the set. Tracks include "Love Attack", "Passion From A Woman", "He's So Jive", "Baby Make Up Your Mind", "Scared Single", and "Precious Precious". CD features bonus tracks too – "Passion From A Woman (ext)", "Passion From A Woman (acapella)", "Passion From A Woman (radio)", "Passion From A Woman (dub)", "Passion From A Woman (7" version)", and "Precious Precious (7" version)".

Bumping, bouncing soul from Krystol – one of the strongest female groups of the 80s, and one of the few who really helped push the sound further at the time! The groove here is equal parts funk and soul – and has a brashness that a girl act wouldn't have had a decade before – lots of echoes of new rhythms learned from the streets, fused with top-shelf production that helps send the whole thing home strongly! The style is tight, yet never clunky commercial – and Leon Sylvers' production really helps keep a lean quality to most of the tracks. And sure, the costumes on the cover look a bit silly, but the vocals have a lot more depth than you might expect! Titles include "Love Is Like An Itchin In My Heart", "C'Est La Vie", "I Want A Man Who Can Dance", "Hard To Believe", "The Things That Men Do", "Talk Of The Town", and "Shattered Glass". CD features lots of bonus tracks – "Love Is Like An Itchin (long vocal)", "Love Is Like An Itchin (edited)", "Love Is Like An Itchin (ext dub)", "The Things That Men Do (radio)", and "The Things That Men Do (club)".

A sweet 80s set from Johnny Mathis – one of those great later albums when he brought a good deal of soul into the mix! The feel here is almost more modern R&B than the vocal jazz mode that first brought Johnny fame – and it turns out that the Mathis mode is wonderful for such a setting – rich and full of feeling, and arguably better than some of his younger contemporaries on the charts! The ballads are beautiful, but there's also a few surprising midtempo numbers – and titles include a sublime remake of "Love Won't Let Me Wait", done with Deniece Williams – plus "Love Never Felt So Good", "Simple", "Priceless", "One Love", "Right Here & Now", and "Lead Me To Your Love" – plus "You're A Special Part Of Me", a duet with Angie Bofill. CD features two bonus tracks – "Simple (single vocal)" and "Simple (inst)".

A pair of killers from this legendary group! High On Music is one of the funkiest albums ever from The Memphis Horns – that super-tight instrumental combo headed by Andrew Love on tenor and Wayne Jackson on trumpet! Both players had years in the Memphis soul scene under their belt by the time of this set – and instead of just going for familiar modes, they wisely try to reach for a whole new groove – bringing in a bit of New York funk from the time, particularly the tighter ensemble sound of the Fatback generation. Booker T still handles production, which ensures a link to Memphis roots – and there's some great keyboards, which underscore the horns nicely. Titles include "Freedom Train", "Get It Up", "80 Proof Red", "Move Your Feet", "Keep On Doin' It", "Crystal Mellow", "Love's Mood", and "Beale Street Shuffle". On Get Up & Dance, The Memphis Horns expand their groove – still serving up their great blend of funky soul horns, but also adding in a bit of vocals too! The core focus of the album is still instrumental – based around that amazing sound led by Memphis soul legends Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson – but given the dancefloor orientation of some of the best tracks here, vocals are a perfect blend for the sound – lyrics that never dominate too much, but which have a great way of underscoring the groove! Singers include DJ Rogers, Lani Groves, Deniece Williams, and James Gilstrap all sing on the record – and titles include "Just For Your Love", a smooth mellow stepper that's pretty darn catchy – plus "Love Is Happiness", "Get Up And Dance", "Memphis Nights", "What The Funk", "Don't Abuse It", "Keep On Smilin", and "Waitin For The Flood".

An overlooked set from Melba Moore – an Epic session from the start of the 80s, and one that's served up with a nicely understated groove! There's a bit of disco in the mix, but the sound's never too far over the top – and in a way, Melba's working in the same sophisticated territory as some of the Philly International singers of the same generation – moving past easy club or chart soul, into a well-rounded, fully mature mix of music. Given the great vocals that Moore's always brought to her music, the format is a great way for her to keep on growing – as you'll hear on titles that include "Closer", "Something On Your Mind", "Shame", "Next To You", "Rest Inside My Love", and "Never Gonna Let You Get Away". CD features four bonus tracks – "You Stepped Into My Life (7" mix)", "Pick Me Up I'll Dance (7" mix)", "Burn (special disco mix)", and "Night People (12" mix)".

A album of club tracks, as you might guess from the title, but every bit as strong as Melba More's other work from the late 70s! The album's got some top-shelf club help throughout – including production from Van McCoy and McFadden & Whitehead, the latter of whom also contributed a few key tracks – and the whole thing's also mixed by Richie Rivera with a soaring, spacious sound, and one that's never too cloyingly commercial. Melba's strong vocals are right at home in the setting, and even the longer tracks don't seem to dampen her enthusiasm at all. Titles include "Standing Right Here", "Free", "Play Boy Scout", "Promised Land", and "Make Me Believe In You". CD features a bonus 12" version of "This Is It".

Soaring soul from Melba Moore – a singer who really came into her own with this sweet 70s album! Melba always had a great voice, right from the start – but here, she's working with arrangements and production by Van McCoy – updating her sound with a bit of a clubby groove, in a way that helps Moore reach even greater heights than usual – and cross over to a big audience with ears for the growing disco sounds of the time! McCoy really knows how to pitch things right – and overall, the album's got a much deeper feel than some of his own disco work of the time – thanks, no doubt, to Melba's rich vocal approach. Titles include "So Many Mountains", "Good Love Makes Everything Alright", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "The Greatest Feeling", "Mighty Clouds Of Joy", and "Ain't No Love Lost".

A peach of a record from Melba Moore – one that's produced by Eugene McDaniels, who helps find a tight funky sound that unlocks some of the most righteous elements in Moore's vocals! Like some of McDaniels' best productions of the time, there's a good sense of balance here – a way of going deep, then swinging back for a nice hook – ensuring that the record would reach just the right audience, while still helping get the message across! Gary King did all the arrangements, with a righteous soul style that works perfectly with Melba's vocals – and the set's got some great keyboards from Bob James, Richard Tee, and Dave Grusin – all of whom keep things hip. Titles include "If You Can Believe", "My Soul Is Satisfied", "Must Be Dues", "I Am His Lady", "A Million Years Before This Time", "If I Lose", and "Natural Part of Everything".

The vocals of Melba Moore, and some great Philly soul rhythms – put together with tight arrangements from McFadden & Whitehead, who give Moore a similar approach to some of the best Philadelphia International records of the time! There's a really nice sense of balance to the record – some mellower moments mixed in with the groovers, and a few stepping midtempo numbers that are especially nice – and which seem to unlock a depth and maturity in Melba's vocals we can really appreciate. Titles include "Living Freee", "You Are My River". "Standing Right Here", "Just Another Link", "Is This The End", "Promised Land" and "I Don't Know No One Else To Turn To". CD features 2 bonus tracks – extended single versions of "Promised Land" and "Standing Right Here".

Proof that the move to soul was actually a great thing for James Mtume – because although the set's miles from his spiritual jazz work of the 70s, it more than makes up for that shift with a sophisticated approach to 80s soul! The group's a small one, with lots of keyboards from Mtume, and a fair bit of bass at the bottom – and lead vocals are by James and Tawatha, who brings a nice sense of female sweetness to the set. The whole thing's got a very seductive slow jam electro feel, and includes standout jams like "You Are My Sunshine", "You, Me, & He", "Prime Time", "Sweet For You and Me", and "C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)", plus the intimate "Sweet For You And Me (Monogamy Mix)" and the jazz funk & old school hip hop hybrid "To Be Or Not To Bop That Is The Question (Whether We Funk Or Not)". This FTG CD edition includes 5 bonus tracks – rare alternate versions and 12" mixes – including extended vocal and instrumental mixes of "COD (I'll Deliver)" extended and dub mixes of "I Simply Like", plus "You, Me And He (Polygamy Mix)" and "You, Me And He (Instrumental Rap)".

Definitely the sort of album to make you feel better – given the tight, soulful sounds of Ndugu Chancler and this Chocolate Jam Company! The album's got roots in jazz – Ndugu's a drummer with work on countless other albums – but also steps out with plenty of soul, too – thanks to vocals from Ndugu, Leo Miller, Josie James, and Maxi Anderson – who often sing together in this warm style that fits perfectly with the grooves in the set! Instrumentation is definitely a cut above the usual session of this type – no surprise, given the jazz and fusion heavyweights in the lineup – and the tunes are catchy and grooving, yet never clunky or commercial at all. The blend is sublime – the sort that's made the record a standout for years – and titles include "Send You My Love", "Space Connection", "Make You Feel Better", "Jungle Journey", "Love Anew", and "Come Into My Life Again". CD features three bonus tracks – "Shadow Dancing (7" version)", "Take Some Time (7" version)", and "Love Anew (7" version)".

A pair of great albums from one of the coolest soul arrangers of the 70s – back to back on a single CD! Close Encounters is a cool collection of space-themed club tracks from Gene Page – and possibly one of his greatest albums of the 70s – dispite a gimmicky approach! There's a tightly soaring feel to most of the cuts that's Page at his best – arranging fully with styles borrowed from Barry White, but also hitting with a bit of Philly inspiration too – never too over the top, and never too commercially driven as you might expect from the concept. There's some great moogy bits on the record – and plenty of great session players who include David T Walker and Wah Wah Watson on guitars, Jack Ashford on percussion, and Ernie Watts on alto sax. Great Phillinganes sings a bit on the record – and titles include "Star Trek", "Close Encounters", "Saturn", "Dancin In The Sky", "I Feel Like I've Been Livin", "Beyond The Hole Space", and "I Sho Like To Ride On Your Star". Love Starts After Dark is a wonderfully well-rounded set from superstar arranger Gene Page – quite possibly his most fully-formed album as a lead act on his own! The set's got some great standout groovers – the kind of club cuts that have the vibe that Gene was doing well for so many others – and it's also got some mellow moments served up with a depth that's almost unexpected – thanks partly to some great vocals from Merry Clayton, Phyllis St James, and Charmaine Sylvers – all of whom help the album shine. Tracks are penned by Leon Ware, Leon Sylvers, Ray Parker Jr, and Joe Sample – and titles include "With You In The Night", "Second Time Around", "Put A Little Love In Your Lovin", "Love Starts After Dark", "You Are The Meaning Of This Song", and "I Wanna Dance".

Patrice Rushen in a crisp 80s soul mode! Watch Out finds Patrice really cutting down the keyboards in favor of stronger vocals right out front – breaking all the rules, as the title of the second song tells it – and it works really well! Most of the arrangements, synth and drum programming are by Patrice herself, and she has a more sure-footed control of the era's R&B style than we remembered! The title track is fantastic, with a tight synth funk undercurrent and hooky, insistent vocals from Patrice – facets that carry throughout the album – plus strong ballads in "Somewhere" and "Till She's Out Of Your Mind". Patrice's only album for Arista – and it's a nice one! Other tracks include "All My Love", "Anything Can Happen", "Burnin", "Breakin All The Rules" and "Come Back To Me". This FTG CD edition includes 4 bonus tracks: "Anything Can Happen (East Coast Dub Mix)", "Come Back To Me (Extended Mix)", "Come Back To Me (Acapella Mix)" and "Watch Out (Extended Mix)".

Great waves of sound here from Surface – a set that has the trio sounding even tighter and more fluid than ever – perfectly blending midtempo rhythms with their warm and sweet harmony vocals! The vibe's a bit classier than the usual mellow soul of the time – almost with a jazzy sensibility, although served up in subtle ways – and in a way, there's a vision here that seems to set the tone for some of the group soul to come in the 90s. Titles include the huge "Shower Me With Your Love" – plus "Closer Than Friends", "I Missed", "Hold On To Love", "Where's That Girl At", and "You Are My Everything". CD features bonus tracks – "I Missed (12" version)", "Shower Me With Your Love (inst)", "Closer Than Friends (12" jazz version)", "You Are My Everything (ext)", "I Missed (acappella)", "Closer Than Friends (12" version)", "You Are My Everything (Pic's jazz version)", and "I Missed (dub)".

One of the last records Switch recorded before Philip Ingram went solo, and the rest of the guys broke off into DeBarge – and an album with some surprisingly sweet soul moments! The funky side of Switch is still stringly in place, but this record has some great little ballads ballads too – with the band singing in a solid harmony style that's right upfront in the mix, unencumbered by the harder instrumentation of the funkier numbers, showcasing a soulful side that almost reminds us of the mid 70s east coast indie scene! Titles include "Love Over & Over Again", "All I Need Is You", "You & I", "Without You In My Life", and "Just Imagine".

A Def Jam classic from Tashan – and a record that really helped bridge the gap between male soul and hip hop in the 80s! The style's still as warm and soulful as most of Tashan's contemporaries, but the record definitely shows a bit of street soul in the rhythms too – often just a bit gentle, but prefacing the changes that would come more strongly in the next decade – an aspect that really made this one stand out from the rest! Tashan's vocals are in a classic romantic mode, but often set to beats that provide a nice contrast and a good sort of punch – a definite Def Jam mode that's famously heard on the title track. Titles include "Ooh We Baby", "So Much In Love", "I Don't Ever", "Love Is", "Read My Mind", "If Words Can Express", "Chasin A Dream", and "Strung Out On You". CD features bonus tracks – "Read My Mind (long version rmx)", "Read My Mind (short version rmx)", "Chasin A Dream (special mix)", and "Chasin A Dream (single)".

Deniece Williams is hot on the trail of an 80s groove here – working with lots of tight keyboards and contemporary rhythms, yet still staying true to that amazing vocal approach she first worked out in the Chicago scene of the 60s! The style is a great mix of crossover soul and deeper lines from Williams' lyrics – and given that Deniece always had a style of singing that was in a higher range than most, her approach works great for the more treble-based style of backings used here! Greg Mathieson produced and arranged – and titles include "Hot On The Trail", "He Loves Me He Loves Me Not", "Wiser & Weaker", "Straight From The Heart", and "Healing". CD features bonus tracks too – including "Wiser & Weaker (12" ext)", "Wiser & Weaker (inst)", "Never Say Never (12" ext)", and "I Confess (12" dance)".

A bassy bassy classic from Tyrone Brunson – a heck of a great player on many other folks' albums at the time – and a darn compelling leader on his own! The set crackles with all the street soul vibe you might expect from the cover – breaking bits mixed with electro elements – yet also often given some jazzier warmth, too – in ways that really set the record apart from some of the similar work of the time – a tightness, and top shelf-ness that really holds together strongly over the course of the set. In addition to heavy work on bass, Brunson also sings a bit – and gets background help from vocalists Veronica Martin and Ethel Beatty. Titles include the classic "The Smurf", plus "Sticky Situation", "I Need Love", "Go For It", "Don't You Want It", "Hot Line", and "New Wave Disco Punk Funk Rock". CD features lots of bonus tracks – "The Smurf (single version)", "I Need Love (single version)", "Sticky Situation (inst)", "Hot Line (7" inst)", "Hot Line (single version)", "Hot Line (12" inst)", and "Sticky Situation (single version)".

Bright, bubbly soul from Centerfield – the 80s soul duo of Keni Towns and Phil Jones – who both sing and play most of the instrumentation on the set! The sound's not as lean as you might expect for a duo album – thanks to the addition of some studio help too – but the overall approach has lots of that tight 80s soul punch in the rhythms, with some especially explosive moments in the rhythms – that point when hip hop beats started influencing mainstream R&B, although more in an electro soul mode on some cuts. Titles include "Party Rebels", "Earth Jam", "I Didn't Know", "Head Over Heels", "Admit It", and a version of "Shoe Shoe Shine".

A bouncy little set from Angela Clemmons – a record that's got a bit more beats at the bottom than some of her previous outings – but in a way that seems to only make things sound even groovier overall! There's a number of catchy groovers that help the set take off right from the start – tunes that are playful, and maybe a bit aimed at the charts – yet which still let Angie soar on those magnificent vocals of hers. Titles include "One Night Baby", "Miracles", "Love Life", "BYOB", "Nothing Can Stop My Love", "I Could Love You Better", and "Rock & A Hard Place". CD features two bonus tracks – "BYOB (12" mix)" and "This Is Love (inst)".

A great set from Rebbie Jackson – a batch of 80s groovers that's way different than work from siblings Michael or Janet – and done with a percolating sort of vibe that's quite different from some of the core projects of the rest of the Jacksons universe! Wayne Henderson handled most of the production for the set, and brings in a nice sense of class that pushes the work far from too-commercial soul – that strong balance that always makes his name on a record one key reason to check it out! There's still a bit of Jackson influence on the vocals – as Rebbie gets help from Michael, Tito, and Randy Jackson – alongside additional guest vocals from Gary Glenn, Patryce Banks, Maxie Anderson, and The Weather Girls. Titles include "Centipede", "Play Me", "Open Up To My Love", "Hey Boy", "Come Alive It's Saturday Night", "Ready for Love", and "A Fork In The Road". CD features bonus tracks "Eternal Love (single)", "I'm Just Gonna Love You", "Play Me (12" version)", "Play Me (12" inst)", "Come Alive It's Saturday Night (ext mix)", "Centipede (12" mix)", and "Centipede (12" inst)".

A standout classic from Kashif – one of those key 80s albums that brought him to light as a tremendous powerhouse in mainstream soul! Thanks to the wonders of recording science, Kashif was able to write, produce, arrange, and perform everything on the album himself – a great trick that probably saved him a lot of studio costs – but which also really helps him bring his music here into tight focus – even more so than on projects he'd been doing for other artists at the time. There's a super-catchy groove to the best numbers, and even the rest have that tight punch that makes Kashif one of the standouts of the time – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Baby Don't Break Your Baby's Heart", "Edgartown Groove", "Call Me Tonight", "Love Has No End", and "Send Me Your Love" – plus the duet with Whitney Houston on "Are You The Woman". CD features bonus tracks too – including "Baby Don't Break Your Baby's Heart (inst)", "Baby Don't Break Your Baby's Heart (single)", "Ooh Love (single)", "Ooh Love (12" edit)", "Ooh Love (inst)", and "Are You The Woman (single)".

Cheryl Lynn follows things up nicely from her famous debut – mostly sticking in the same upbeat territory as her earliest club hits – a groove that's perfect for her bold, soaring vocals! The album sports a few mellower cuts, but it's the groovers that really keep things together – great late disco numbers, served up with plenty of class, and just the right sort of lean energy to help Lynn step strongly into the 80s groove generation! Titles include the sweet mellow groover "Don't Let It Fade Away" – plus "Hide It Away", "Feel It", "In Love", "Love Bomb", "I've Got Just What You Need", "Chances", and "I've Got Faith In You". CD features bonus tracks – "In Love (7" version)", "Feel It (7" version)", and "Keep It Hot (special version)".

A landmark album from the New York Community Choir – a gospel group at heart, but one who've ended up in plenty of 70s soul collections – thanks to the strength of this sweet little set! The vocals are tremendous – proud and righteous, with a power that's undeniable – and backed by secular soul arrangements from Leon Pendarvis – who really finds a way to focus the group's energy and push it over the top! Pendarvis is wonderful here – and the album's filled with catchy groovers that match or beat most of the mainstream soul of the time – wicked tracks that really helped push gospel to the next level, and managed to get the group plenty of secular listeners as well. The whole thing's completely sublime – filled with positive feelings and mighty grooves – and titles include "Since You Came In My Life", "Nothing Can Separate Me", "Draw Now Closer", "Tell It All", "Changed", "Have A Good Time", and "Express Yourself". CD features three bonus tracks – "Express Yourself (12" mix)", "Have A Good Time (12" mix)", and "Easy To Be Hard".

Late 80s boogie funk from Cameo guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Singleton & Modern Man, though Charlie himself may very well be this Modern Man, as he also wrote and produced the record – with allstar assistance from his Cameo partners, Peabo Bryson and others! Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained is his first for Epic, in a similar pop funk mode as Cameo's work of the time, though a bit leane and with Charlie's personal touches right out front. Thumping programming, some electro touches and some some blazing guitar by Charlie when the mood strikes! Includes "I Wanna Be With You", and 80s groove cover of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", "Spending Money", "Over My Head" with Peabo and a nice bit of sax, "Love Machine", "Vain", "Almost Over You" and more.

Two club corkers by Black Ivory – back to back on a single CD! The self-titled Black Ivory album is a pivotal set for the group – released at a time when Black Ivory, like so many other east coast vocal groups, was making the transition away from an older sweet soul style to a more sophisticated club vocal sound. The group's producing themselves here – and we're guessing that most of the real work is being done by Leroy Burgess, although Patrick Adams still appears to be working with the group on the string and horn arrangements – giving things just the right sort of underground disco twist to make things groove! The record includes the great club track "Walking Downtown (Saturday Night)", a longtime fave around Chicago – plus "White Wind", "Making Love In My Mind", "Could This Be Magic", "Longer Ride", and "Can't You See". Hangin Heavy is filled with killer grooves from Black Ivory – a trio who've really come a long way here since their roots – stepping out with proud, soulful tones that are a perfect fit for the upbeat grooves of the set! There's still a touch of fragile harmonies at times – but overall, the group have a much more mature, adult vibe – set to tight late 70s club arrangements from Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess – both of whom stay far away from any mainstream disco cliches, and really hit a sweet underground vibe for the set! Titles include the classic club track "Mainline", plus "Peace & Harmony", "Get Down (Comin' Down)", "You Turned My Whole World Around", and "Rest Inside My Love".

Soaring vocals from Angela Clemmons – a set that really has an amazing range, and a depth of sound that goes way past the usual from Epic Records at the time! Angela's got a way of stretching out right from the start – inflecting the lyrics with a rich power that easily matches or beats some of her bigger-name contemporaries at the time – and which really help give an extra something special to the record. Production is by Paul Leka, and a number of songs were written by Michael Brown – and the pair really help give the whole thing a personal feel, and keep the set from being just another run of the mill mainstream soul album from the early 80s. Titles include "Giving It Away", "Fill You Up", "Uneasy", "When You're Through I'll Be Waiting", "Mine", and "Sure Thing". CD features two bonus tracks – "Out Here On My Own (7" mix)", and "Give Me Just A Little More Time (12" mix)".

A funky concept album from George Duke! Guardians Of The Light is a full-on "musical fantasy" – with the story line laid out in the liner notes, yet still a bit difficult to follow – but we can't fault him for that when it's done in his masterful R&B-fusion-funk approach! George sings on all cuts, but he also gets some stellar vocal assistance from Jeffrey Osborne, Portia Griffin, and Patti Austin. The record also has some surprisingly sweet mellow moments that bring a deeper level of spacey soul to the out-there concept! Titles include "Born To Love You", "You Are The Light", "Reach Out", "Give Me Your Love", "Stand", "Soon", and "Fly Away". 3 bonus tracks on this FTG CD edition: "Reach Out (12" Version)", "Celebrate (Instrumental)" and "Brazilian Love Affair".

Maybe not dynamite, but an album that definitely has an explosive feel right from the start – thanks to some 80s grooves that really help re-ignite the solo career of Jermaine Jackson! Jermaine's soaring vocals are right at home in these beat-heavy arrangements – sparkling with a sense of soul and a great ear for a catchy chorus, yet somehow never sounding too commercial overall – really a great surprise, given what you might expect from the album! That trademark Jackson ear for a tune is right on the money – and the set features a few duet cuts – including "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" with Michael Jackson, "Take Good Care Of My Heart" with Whitney Houston, "When The Rain Begins To Fall" with Pia Zadora, and "Escape From The Planet Of The Ant Men" with Randy and Tito Jackson. Solo cuts include "Dynamite", "Sweetest Sweetest", "Oh Mother", "Come To Me", and "Some Things Are Private". CD features 5 bonus tracks that include "Sweetest Sweetest (US rmx)", "Come To Me (12" rmx)", "Do What You Do (12" rmx)", "Dynamite (12" rmx)", and "When The Rain Begins To Fall (12" voc with breakdown)".

Probably the biggest album ever from the brother/sister team of Katreese and Jerry Barnes – working here as Juicy, in a sweet smooth 80s groove style that's mighty nice! Deodato produced the album, and it's similar to some of the other soul material he was handling in the 80s – slick and sparkling, but with a sweet jazzy touch that keeps things a lot more real than on other soul albums from the time. The Barnes siblings handle all vocals and instruments – and the record has a sweet poppy duet style that's perhaps a bit dated, but also kind of due for a revival. Features the group's great slow jam hit "Sugar Free", with lots of excellent bass pedal jamming – plus "Stay With Me", "Slow Dancing", "It Takes Two", and "Nobody But You". CD features some nice 12" bonus tracks – including "Sugar Free (Deo/super dance mix)", "Nobody But You (Deo rmx)", "Bad Boy (dub)", "Sugar Free (Deo/radio rmx)", and "Nobody But You (Deo dub)".

An 80s soul classic from Kashif – an artist who really helped transform R&B at the time, all without the benefit of a last name! The album's completely arranged and produced by Kashif himself – cementing the reputation he'd begun working behind other artists in the earlier part of the decade before going onto greater fame as a solo act on his own – a rock-solid approach to soul music that bristles with the best innovations of the 80s soul generation. Most tunes are heavy on beats, but use them in just the right ways – and keyboards provide a good amount of the rest of the instrumentation, but fleshed out strongly so that they work well next to the vocals. Tunes are a nicely balanced blend of mature male soul and some slightly catchier groovers – and titles include "Botha Botha", "Dancing In The Dark", "Movie Song", "Say You Love Me", "Stay The Night", and "Condition Of The Heart". CD features three bonus tracks – "Condition Of The Heart (ext version)", "Love On The Rise (extended)", and "Love On The Rise (inst)".

A pair of albums from the McCrarys – back to back on a single CD, and with a bonus track too! First up is Loving Is Living – the first secular album by The McCrarys – the start of a great run for this group who started in gospel, then really blossomed even more strongly in soul music! The record's got an endorsement from Stevie Wonder, who also plays harmonica and does a small bit of vocalizing – but the real strength is in the vocal work of the group, which is always very tight in kind of an LA backing group sort of way – but with a lot more depth too – one that clearly comes from their gospel roots, but which is right at home here on an album of tight, upbeat arrangements. The set's got a really positive vibe throughout – and titles include "Givin It Up", "Loving Is Living", "Here's That Feeling", "You Are The Key", "Looking Ahead", and "Don't Wear Yourself Out". Also features a bonus single version of "Don't Wear Yourself Out". On The Other Side is filled with soaring vocals and wickedly groovy arrangements – a beautiful blend that may well make this the greatest album The McCrarys ever cut! The backings here are even better than before – upbeat, but with lots of jazzy inflections that almost feel like some of the best 80s grooves on Capitol records – and the vocals are tight, but deeply soulful – always proud to show off the group's roots in gospel, yet definitely trained towards a secular soul sensibility too. The album's got loads of gems – and titles include "On The Other Side", "I'm For Real", "Isn't It Deep", "Starbright", "Dance With Me", "Lost In Loving You", and "Your Smiling Face".

A righteous group soul classic from the 70s – the one and only album from The Modulations, and a lasting classic that almost beats the multiple album runs of some of their contemporaries! The group's a southern harmony quartet at their core, but they also get some really great backings on the set – a Philly vibe that really matches the best work from the Gamble & Huff stable, but with more of an indie vibe too – fitting for the Buddah Records placement of the set. The record features studio help from Norman Harris, Vince Montana, and Bobby Eli – whose work on the record helps link the style to the righteous grooves of groups like Soul Generation or True Reflection – both a good comparison to The Modulations too! Titles include "It's Rough Out Here", "I Found Love At Last", "Those Were The Best Days Of My Life", and "I'll Always Love You". CD features great bonus tracks too – including "What Good Am I", "Somebody's Been Messin", "Your Love Has Me Locked Up", "I Can't Fight Your Love (7" version)", and "Worth Your Weight In Gold (7" version)".

Definitely the sort of album to make you feel better – given the tight, soulful sounds of Ndugu Chancler and this Chocolate Jam Company! The album's got roots in jazz – Ndugu's a drummer with work on countless other albums – but also steps out with plenty of soul, too – thanks to vocals from Ndugu, Leo Miller, Josie James, and Maxi Anderson – who often sing together in this warm style that fits perfectly with the grooves in the set! Instrumentation is definitely a cut above the usual session of this type – no surprise, given the jazz and fusion heavyweights in the lineup – and the tunes are catchy and grooving, yet never clunky or commercial at all. The blend is sublime – the sort that's made the record a standout for years – and titles include "Send You My Love", "Space Connection", "Make You Feel Better", "Jungle Journey", "Love Anew", and "Come Into My Life Again". CD features three bonus tracks – "Shadow Dancing (7" version)", "Take Some Time (7" version)", and "Love Anew (7" version)".

Plenty of control here – as Ray Parker's at the height of his 80s hitmaking power, scoring strongly on one of his key classics from the decade for Arista! The tunes have a bit more of that catchy, rhythm-heavy sound that Parker was forging at the start of the decade – a quality that moves away from straight mainstream soul into crossover territory that would only suit Ray even more strongly a few years later. There's plenty of numbers here that aim strongly for radio play on both sides of the fence, but Parker balances things out with enough traces of his roots to keep things interesting. Titles include "Electronic Lover", "Woman Out Of Control", "Invasion", "N2U2", "She Still Feels The Need", and "In The Heat Of The Night". This FTG CD version also includes the bonus "Jack And Jill (Back Up The Hill) (1982 Version)".

Bonnie Pointer sounding great in the mid 80s– on a hard-to-find album cut for Private I/CBS after a drawn out split with Motown – one that finds her in a prime, catchy dancefloor R&B mode! To our ears, If The Price Is Right holds up as well as a lot of the pop soul of the period, including Bonnie's siblings The Pointer Sisters – though it obviously didn't hit as hugely! It's got crisp keyboards, programming and 80s boogie, but there's also some room for more more tender balladry and chugging club soul reminiscent of the late disco years. Of course, Bonnie's lovely, soulful voice is the most important characteristic. An overlooked album that's well worth catching up with! Include "Premonition", "Johnny", "Come Softly To Me", "Under The Influence Of Love", "Your Touch", "Tight Blue Jeans", "There's Nobody Quite Like You" and "If The Price Is Right". This FTG CD has a whopping 9 bonus tracks – single, club, dub and extended 12" mixes and more – including "Your Touch (Club Version)", "Premonition (Dance Version)", "There's Nobody Quite Like You (Single Version)", "The Beast In Me (12" Version)", "Heaven" from The Heavenly Bodies soundtrack.

A mellow soul stunner from the mid 80s – the classic debut of Surface, a trio who bring a lot of warm jazzy elements into their unique brand of quiet storm grooves! There's a careful sense of class to the record right from the start – no easygoing commercial ballads, and instead a more mature male soul approach that really shows the deeper roots of the group's three members – one of whom is David Townsend, who was part of the excellent Townsend family album on Casablanca in the late 70s! Most tunes have a laidback groove that's perfect for the group's vocal approach – which is sometimes harmony, sometimes more focused on a lead – always stepping along at a good mellow pace. Titles include "Happy", "Let's Try Again", "We're All Searchin", "Who Loves You", "You're Fine", "Girls Were Made To Love", "Gotta Make Love Tonight", and "Feels So Good". CD features bonus tracks – "Happy (love mix)", "Happy (12" rmx)", "Happy (12" inst)", "Happy (ext)", "Let's Try Again (ext)", "Let's Try Again (inst)", and "Lately (12" mix)".

The best of a handful of albums that the one-time Prince bassist put out in the early 80s – a record that made a splash via the great Prince-penned "The Dance Electric" – possibly a blessing and a curse for AC, as Prince was so huge at the time that the record going public was too quick to dismiss him as a clone! But don't let that stop you – as Cymone's got a groove that's all his own – and an 80s soul star definitely worth rediscovering. The percussive vibe is similar to Prince, but Andre's got a leaner, funkier style overall – virtually working as a one man band here, and handling most instrumentation himself – which brings a compact feel to the record that really comes through in the tightness of the grooves. Titles include "The Dance Electric", "Lipstick Lover", "Pretty Wild Lover", "Book Of Love", "Vacation", "Satisfaction", and "Neon Pussycat". Massive 2CD version features loads of bonus tracks – 20 more numbers that include lots of mixes of "The Dance Electric", "Satisfaction", and "Lipstick Lover" – plus "Vacation (Andre Cymone mix)", "Let Me Kiss The Bride (inst)", and "Anything (inst)".

Great keyboard work from Rodney Franklin – an artist who was well-trained in the best 70s fusion modes, and really knew how to keep things real on an 80s groover like this! The set's got less acoustic touches than on previous Franklin albums, but the sound is still plenty soulful throughout – a nice contrast to some of the flatter keyboard work of some of his contemporaries of the period – and proof that even with newer technology, the right artist can still make things sound great! There's a few well-chosen mellower moments amidst the groovers – and the set features a bit of vocals, but is mostly instrumental overall. Titles include "Lumiere", "Searchin For", "Let's Talk", "Love Is The Answer", "Stay On The Groove", "Marathon", and "Reflection Of A Dream".

Maybe not dynamite, but an album that definitely has an explosive feel right from the start – thanks to some 80s grooves that really help re-ignite the solo career of Jermaine Jackson! Jermaine's soaring vocals are right at home in these beat-heavy arrangements – sparkling with a sense of soul and a great ear for a catchy chorus, yet somehow never sounding too commercial overall – really a great surprise, given what you might expect from the album! That trademark Jackson ear for a tune is right on the money – and the set features a few duet cuts – including "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" with Michael Jackson, "Take Good Care Of My Heart" with Whitney Houston, "When The Rain Begins To Fall" with Pia Zadora, and "Escape From The Planet Of The Ant Men" with Randy and Tito Jackson. Solo cuts include "Dynamite", "Sweetest Sweetest", "Oh Mother", "Come To Me", and "Some Things Are Private". CD features 5 bonus tracks that include "Sweetest Sweetest (US rmx)", "Come To Me (12" rmx)", "Do What You Do (12" rmx)", "Dynamite (12" rmx)", and "When The Rain Begins To Fall (12" voc with breakdown)".

A monumental bit of 80s soul – the first solo album from Kashif – issued hot on the heels of a few years spent penning and producing work for a range of bigger artists! Given his experience with the pros, Kashif's emerging here as a very fully-formed talent in soul – a singer with a way of keeping things real, even when the tunes are catchy – and a producer with a great ear for the changing styles of soul at the time. The grooves are often nicely spare and stripped down, yet never without a good sense of feeling – and titles include "I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On)", "Stone Love", "Say Somethin' Love", "All", "Help Yourself To My Love", "The Mood", "Don't Stop My Love", and "Rumors". 5 bonus tracks on this FTG CD version: "Help Yourself To My Love (12" Version)", "I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On) (Instrumental)", (Lover Turn Me On) (Single Version)", "Stone Love (Instrumental)" and "Say Somethin' Love (Single Version)".

Exactly the kind of record that shows why Kashif was one of the leading mainstream talents of the 80s – a set that not only has the artist really maturing as a singer, songwriter, and producer – but one that also has him reaching out to bring in a host of other talents from the time as well! The move is no surprise, given that Kashif had lent his talents to so many other artists' records in the past – and the favor seems to be returned by the album's work from Expose, Meli'sa Morgan, Doug E Fresh, Kenny G, Greg Phillinganes, and Whitney Houston – all of whom come across with a really organic feel that only seems to deepen the main sounds from Kashif. Titles include "Vacant Heart", "Fifty Ways", "Somebody", "Love Changes", "Loving You Only", "Love Me All Over", "Midnight Mood", "It All Begins Again", and "Who's Getting Serious". CD features lots of bonus tracks too – including "Love Changes (full version)", "Loving You Only (ext rmx)", "Love Me All Over (ext version)", "Love Changes (acapella)", "Kathryn (inst)", and "Love Changes (inst)".

Hard to believe that a preppie look could ever be associated with a soul singer, but by the time of this 1983, the preppie craze had spread so much that it actually provided Cheryl Lynn a nice way to update her style! There's nothing preppie about the music, though – and the record's a great batch of cuts that show how much Cheryl influenced the soul sound of the early 80s, especially at a time when Columbia was putting out so many strong R&B acts – stepping forth with a tight, mature groove that's totally wonderful – definitely a standard-setting sound that so many other female singers tried to match! Includes the cuts "Encore", "Fool A Fool", "Fix It", "Change The Channel", "Preppie", and "Life's Too Short". New CD version has four bonus tracks – including "Encore (dance version)", "Free (special 12" version)", "Preppie (12" version)", and "Preppie (12" club)".

Completely sublime grooves from GQ – a second set that's almost even better than their first – thanks to perfect production, and wicked rhythms that are right on the money, track after track! The group start the set with a flurry of upbeat grooves that really show the full potential of ensemble funk at the end of the 70s – tight cuts that steer far from any disco or dancefloor cliches, and which have a bass-heavy sound that's completely infectious! Then, they flip things over with an equally great batch of ballads – mellow cuts that show that the group can handled the slower side of the tempo scale too – a perfect balance that really earns them the class you'd guess from a name like GQ. The set features a killer remake of Billy Stewart's "Sitting In The Park", plus the cuts "Standing Ovation", "Is It Cool", "Someday In Your Life", "Lies", "GQ Down", "Don't Stop This Feeling", and "Reason For The Season".

A mellow soul stunner from the mid 80s – the classic debut of Surface, a trio who bring a lot of warm jazzy elements into their unique brand of quiet storm grooves! There's a careful sense of class to the record right from the start – no easygoing commercial ballads, and instead a more mature male soul approach that really shows the deeper roots of the group's three members – one of whom is David Townsend, who was part of the excellent Townsend family album on Casablanca in the late 70s! Most tunes have a laidback groove that's perfect for the group's vocal approach – which is sometimes harmony, sometimes more focused on a lead – always stepping along at a good mellow pace. Titles include "Happy", "Let's Try Again", "We're All Searchin", "Who Loves You", "You're Fine", "Girls Were Made To Love", "Gotta Make Love Tonight", and "Feels So Good". CD features bonus tracks – "Happy (love mix)", "Happy (12" rmx)", "Happy (12" inst)", "Happy (ext)", "Let's Try Again (ext)", "Let's Try Again (inst)", and "Lately (12" mix)".