A massive double-header from
Brick – two Columbia albums back to back on a single CD! First up is smoking Summer Heat from
Brick – an 80s outing that furthers the tight tight groove they started back in the 70s! Given that
Brick were one of the groups who really set the sound for the next generation, they're right at home here – working with some production help from Ray Parker Jr, in a style that bubbles over nicely with tight rhythms and warmer vocal bits – all balanced out nicely, in ways that are better than most of the group's contemporaries! Titles include "Sweat", "Sea Side Vibes", "Sure Feels Good", "Summer Heat", "The Happening", and "Wide Open". After 5 has a classy title, and is a record with grooves that are even classier than usual for
Brick – thanks to a style that seems to bring up a jazzy vibe a bit more on some cuts, while still keeping things in the tightly funky mode of their roots! There's definitely a prime
Brick sound going on here – that wicked wrapping of bass, keyboards, and drums the group laid down on their debut – but the whole thing's also taken a bit further, too – almost echoing some of the more complicated changes of the 80s groove generation! Titles include "Stick By You", "Let It Roll", "It's A New Day", "Peace Of Mind", "When You Believe", "Free Dancer", and "Wild & Crazy".