Norman Brown - After The Storm (1994)

An hour of vintage '90s smooth jazz that sounds as good today as it did 23 years ago. (To be honest, the genre hasn't changed much in a long while, a fact that doesn't bother me much.) Brown is an excellent writer and guitarist and his skills are showcased well in these 12 tracks. If the local radio station isn't playing any Norman Brown during its Sunday morning "Jazz Brunch" broadcast, find a new station.

CashBox, June 18, 1994, p. 13

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #140
• Billboard R&B: #21
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #2

Tracks: A good album from top to bottom - don't miss any tracks, even the track where Brown sings (It Costs To Love) ain't bad. The most recognizable cut to my ears is the cover of the Isley Brothers' For The Love Of You; there's also nice covers of Luther Vandross' Any Love and Janet Jackson's That's The Way Love Goes; the latter was released as a single. My other picks today are Take Me There, Let's Come Together, and El Dulce Sol.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
West Coast Coolin' (2004)
Groovin' (2002) (with BWB)
Celebration (1999)

Genesis - Invisible Touch (1986)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a cassette tape, later replaced by a CD

A hugely popular album in which 5 of its 8 tracks were top 5 pop hits, including the group's only US #1 hit, the title track. I played the heck outta my cassette in '86, so when I recently saw this CD in a used bin, I thought I'd pick it up to remind myself of the other three tracks. Plus, it's a great road trip album and I've been on the road a bit more than usual of late.

Patrick Bateman calls the album the group's "undisputed masterpiece." (NSFW)

On a side note, that's one of the worst album cover designs ever put out by Assorted iMaGes. And it got worse...

Billboard, June 6, 1987
click to enlarge

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone: "every tune is carefully pruned so that each flourish delivers not an instrumental epiphany but a solid hook."
• Robert Christgau (C+): "in the end I couldn't tolerate the generalization density"
• Smash Hits (5 out of 10): "sounds like a collection of theme tunes from boring American TV programmes."
• Stereo Review: "a better title would have been 'Invisible Content.'"
• Los Angeles Times: "Maybe the record was made to provide material for the next season of 'Miami Vice.'"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #3
• Billboard Pop CD: #1
• CashBox: #2
• CashBox CD: #1
• Rolling Stone: #1

Tracks:

Song	Hot 100	AC	Rock
Invisible Touch	1	3	1
Throwing It All Away	4	1	1
Land of Confusion	4		11
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight	3	8	9
In Too Deep	3	1	34

While the singles are more like Phil Collins' solo stuff (particularly In Too Deep), there are a few times when the group's prog-rock beginnings* are allowed to peep through on songs like Domino. Also, I had forgotten than Tonight, Tonight, Tonight was actually a 9 minute cut with an extended middle section edited out in the single version. I also forgot how much I liked the album closer, an Miami Vice soundtrackish instrumental titled The Brazilian.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see this previous post. I suppose I found much refuge in the music of 1986 because my job was so terrible. Still, I wouldn't trade that summer for anything.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Turn It On Again: The Hits - The Tour Edition (2007)
Duke (1980)

*I want credit for not using the phrase "the group's prog-rock genesis"

Chuck Mangione - Classics, Volume 6 (1987)

A "best of" compilation, covering the flugelhornist's years on the A&M label (1975-82). These were his most commercially successful years; I myself became a fan in '78 as I was just learning to play trumpet while Chuck was hitting #4 on the pop chart with "Feel So Good." Bonus points for using the longer cuts rather than the single edits.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: I dig 'em all and have for years. The Grammy voters seemed to like his stuff, too.

1. Feels So Good (#4 pop, #1 AC) - from the Feels So Good album (1977). Mangione's signature tune, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, losing out to Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are.
2. Hill Where The Lord Hides (original version #76 pop, #32 AC) - from the live album Tarentella (1981). Original version appears on Friends & Love...A Chuck Mangione Concert.
3. Bellavia (#49 AC) - title track from the Bellavia album (1975). Grammy winner for Best Instrumental Composition.
4. Fun And Games (#49 AC) - title track from the Fun And Games album (1980), which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, losing out to Birdland by The Manhattan Transfer.
5. Children of Sanchez Theme (#44 AC) - title track from the soundtrack album for Children of Sanchez (1978). The album won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. 
6. Land Of Make Believe (#86 pop, #44 AC) - from the live album An Evening of Magic: Live at The Hollywood Bowl (1979) - my personal favorite album of Mangione. The tune was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
7. Give It All You Got (#18 pop, #1 AC) - from the Fun And Games album (1980). ABC commissioned this tune to be used as the official theme of the 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, New York. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, losing out to composer John Williams and his score to the film The Empire Strikes Back.
8. Chase The Clouds Away - title track from the Chase The Clouds Away album (1975). The tune was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Instrumental Composition and Best Pop Instrumental Performance, losing to Michel Legrand's Images and Van McCoy's The Hustle, respectively.
9. Cannonball Run Theme - taken from the movie soundtrack of The Cannonball Run (1981). The track later appeared on his 1982 album 70 Miles Young.
10. Doin' Everything With You - taken from the Main Squeeze album (1976).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. Just purchased the disc for the (admittedly bland) Cannonball Run Theme. If I've seen that movie in its entirety, I don't remember it. Never seen the Children of Sanchez movie, either.

Land Of Make Believe has been a staple of marching band shows for almost 40 years. I've personally taught marching drill to that song twice myself.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Everything For Love (2000)
An Evening of Magic: Live at The Hollywood Bowl (1979)
Feels So Good (1977)
Land Of Make Believe (1973)

George Benson - Big Boss Band feat. The Count Basie Orchestra (1990)

In the words of George Benson (From the liner notes): "In 1983, I made a promise to the late Count Basie to record with his band an album such as this." Benson assumes the role of both singer and guitarist with the Basie band, everybody brings their A game, and this listener is happy.

Billboard, Sept. 22, 1990, p. 74

Also notable as Benson's debut as sole producer of an album.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #3

Tracks: I prefer the tracks that feature Benson's fretwork, such as Ready Now That You Are, On Green Dolphin Street, and Basie's Bag, the latter of which won the Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band. Also noteworthy are Skylark and Walkin' My Baby Back Home.  I can't figure out the inclusion of Baby Workout unless they wanted a marketable crossover single. That song doesn't even include the Basie band. I dig the tune (especially Benson's solo), it just doesn't seem to fit the album.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None - this was a recent pickup from a used bin.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Givin' It Up (2006) (w/Al Jarreau)
Best Of: The Instrumentals (1997)
Collaboration (1987) (w/Earl Klugh)
20/20 (1985)
The George Benson Collection (1981)
Give Me The Night (1980)
Breezin' (1976)
The Other Side of Abbey Road (1970)

The Manhattan Transfer - Tonin' (1994)

An uncontentious covers album. From Allmusic:

The idea on Tonin' was to turn the Manhattan Transfer loose on a baker's dozen* of good old 1960s pop and R&B hits in league either with the original artists or prominent guests from that period and beyond. And yes, it's a stellar list, guaranteed to stir warm and fuzzy memories, and the tunes echo the old lament of an earlier age, "They don't write songs like they used to."

*[sic] the CD contains 12, not 13 tracks.

So there's no complaint about the material, but I will complain about some questionable arranging choices. The dated arranging and production leave no doubt about the fact this was a mid-'90s release. It's not exactly a waste of the group's vocal talents, but it ain't no showcase, neither. Makes me long for the scattershot variety of the group's early albums. And, like most covers albums, this CD leaves you wanting to hear the original tunes.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #123

Tracks: The better cuts are Groovin' with Felix Cavaliere, La-La Means I Love You with Laura Nyro, and an a capella version of God Only Knows. You'll want to skip I Second That Emotion with Smokey Robinson, Save The Last Dance For Me with Ben E. King, and the cover of The Association's Along Comes Mary. The other tracks contain strong contributions from the likes of B.B. King and Chaka Khan, but their efforts are sadly wasted.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Bought it. Sold it. Then it returned again in a lot of used CDs. Guess I'm stuck with it now.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Man-Tora! Live In Tokyo (1996)
The Christmas Album (1992)
The Offbeat of Avenues (1991)
Brasil (1987)
Vocalese (1985)
Bodies and Souls (1983)
Mecca For Moderns (1981)
Extensions (1979)

Various Artists - California Soul: Funk & Soul From The Golden State 1967-1976 (2016)

UK Import

A fine compilation of soul tunes, many never before released in any format. Excellent liner notes from Dean Rudland, who also compiled the disc. I couldn't find much information on many of these acts, sadly.

Unfortunately for my retirement accounts, this is the sort of disc that gets me scrambling for others like it.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: All tracks were new to me (and delightfully so), but I've marked a few favorites with a ✔.
(22 tracks, 67 minutes)

Artist	Title	Year
Choice Of  Colors	If She Wants To Go	1974	✔
The Entertainers IV	Just Ain't My Day	1968
Brenda George	What You See Is What You're Gonna Get	1971
Union	Strike	1970
Z.Z. Hill	Think People	1971
Little Johnny Hamilton & The Soul Pack	The Git Down (Part 1)	1967	✔
Little Johnny Hamilton & The Soul Pack	The Git Down (Part 2)	1967	✔
Calif. Soul Explosion	The Feeling	1973
Jesse & Anita	The Man (Y'all Keep On Watching You)	1973
Chucky Thurmon	Thank You For The Party	1976
The Soul Sensations	When I Had You, Baby	1973	✔
The Ballads	Butterfly	1975
The Natural Resources Unpolluted	Funky With My Stuff	1971
Eddie Horan	I'm Gonna Speak Out	1973
Little Denise	Check Me Out	1975	✔
Warm Excursion (Terrible Three)	Hang Up (Part 1)	1970	✔
Johnny Talbot & De-Thangs	Pickin' Cotton	1970
Alvin Robinson	Tuned In, Turned On	1969
Eleanor Rigby	Is It Worth It All	1975	✔
The Douzer	The Sneak	1970
Vernon Green & The Medallions	You Don't Know (The Damage You've Done)	1973
Rulie Garcia	Earthquake	1971

All this for $10.99? Such a deal.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I saw this ad on the television:

I was in the middle of a Northern Soul phase and was immediately captivated by the bassline and sparse but funky chorus. I spent hours online trying to figure out what the song was because my phone apps weren't recognizing it. Once I discovered it was "Check Me Out" by Little Denise (Stevenson), found it on this disc and immediately ordered it.

Blog post #1400

ABC - The Lexicon of Love II (2016)

Okay, let's just forget the inane sequential title of the album (don't worry, Martin, it didn't work for Joe Jackson, either) and look past the fact that I didn't order my copy in time to acquire one of the autographed CDs. Instead, let's just focus on the music because, while it isn't as good as Traffic, it's still a good album. Lots of strings, synths, romanticism, and, of course, Martin Fry's immediately recognizable voice (which has aged well, I must say).

A solid attempt to recreate the sound of the 1982 album, but let's be honest, without Trevor Horn at the board, this didn't have much of a chance to succeed on that count. That dadgum album title set my expectations too high, but the writing is strong enough (read: eightieslicious) that its an enjoyable listen from start to finish. Recommended for summer car listening on a bright afternoon with the top down (Wayfarers optional).

Metacritic has this album at a 70/100 based on eight reviews, but many of those reviews focus on the lyrical content which I usually ignore. Lexicon of Love II is good & you should buy it, but it's no sequel. Trevor Horn - accept no substitutes.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: Let's rank 'em!

1. The Flames of Desire
2. Viva Love (and I'll lump the reprise in with it here)
3. The Ship of the Seasick Sailor
4. I Believe in Love
5. Kiss Me Goodbye
6. Brighter Than the Sun
7. Singer Not the Song
8. Ten Below Zero
9. Confessions of a Fool
10. The Love Inside the Love

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Traffic (2008)
Absolutely (1990)
The Lexicon of Love (1982)