Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder - Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder (1985)

Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder is a collaborative album released in 1985 by Philip Oakey, lead singer of the electronic band The Human League and seminal electro producer Giorgio Moroder, whose early records had been a major influence on Oakey.
The album is most notable for containing the song "Together in Electric Dreams", which was the title track for the movie Electric Dreams and a major hit single.

Tracklist

01.  Why Must The Show Go On  (4:10) 
02.  In Transit  (0:56) 
03.  Good-Bye Bad Times  (3:51) 
04.  Brand New Love (Take A Chance)  (3:59) 
05.  Valerie  (3:24) 
06.  Now  (4:26) 
07.  Together In Electric Dreams  (3:52) 
08.  Be My Lover Now  (3:51) 
09.  Shake It Up  (4:16) 

Bonus Tracks  (2003)
10.  Together In Electric Dreams (Extended)  (6:26) 
11.  Together In Electric Dreams (Instrumental)  (5:10) 
12.  In Transit  (0:50) 
13.  Good-Bye Bad Times (12" Remix)  (5:40) 
14.  Good-Bye Bad Times (Instrumental)  (5:20) 
15.  Be My Lover Now (12" Remix)  (6:14) 
16.  Be My Lover Now (Instrumental)  (4:58) 

Label - A&M Records

Penny McLean - Penny (1977)

Penny McLean (Real Name: Gertrude Wirschinger) Austrian disco singer born 4 November 1948 in Klagenfurt, Austria. Member of Disco formation Silver Convention.

Tracklist

01.  Dance, Bunny Honey, Dance  (3:36) 
02.  24 Hours Of Love  (3:42) 
03.  Disco Dandy  (3:29) 
04.  Summernight Stomp  (4:37) 
05.  Mambo Mama  (4:09) 
06.  Nosiree  (3:31) 
07.  Please Mr.  (5:02) 
08.  Midnight Angel  (3:42) 
09.  Big Bells  (3:24) 
10.  One Little Smile  (3:31) 

Label - Jupiter Records

The Look - We're Gonna Rock (1981)

Dave Edwards a Master vocalist/songwriter and Musical Mind! Hailing from the Detroit Michigan area this super group shows just how timeless true Musicianship is!
Dave Edwards and The Look & The Dave Edwards Band Dave performs under both names - The Dave Edwards Band is his moniker for studio releases & concert performances.

Tracklist

01.  You Can't Sit Down   (2:57) 
02.  I'm Gonna Do What I Wanna Do   (2:22) 
03.  Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone   (4:20) 
04.  Needle In The Haystack   (2:12) 
05.  Ain't Gonna Take It   (2:58) 
06.  You Won't Grow Old   (3:08) 
07.  Let's Give It Ago   (3:02) 
08.  Second Chance   (3:37) 
09.  Love Or Infactuation   (3:04) 
10.  Bye Bye   (2:40) 

Label - Plastic Records

David Soul - The Best Days Of My Life (1981)

David Soul (born David Richard Solberg; August 28, 1943) is an American-British actor and singer, perhaps best known for his role as Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the ABC television series Starsky & Hutch from 1975 to 1979. He became a British citizen in 2004.
During the mid- to late-1970s, Soul returned to his singing roots. Produced by Tony Macaulay, he recorded hits including "Don't Give Up on Us" (1976) which reached Number 1 in the US and the UK, and "Silver Lady" (1977) which also topped the charts in the UK. From 1976 until 1978, he had five UK Top 20 singles and two Top 10 albums.
From 1976 to 1982 he toured extensively in the US, Europe, Far East and South America.
His 5th album “The Best Days Of My Life” he released in 1981. “This one was recorded in Holland the songs are not familar and David does a good job on all of them....It gets lifted up from a so-so recording to a good one on the second side....Love "How Can You Tell You Got It"......But I supose if you are a "David Soul" Fan it's all good !!!

Tracklist

01.  Simple Man  (2:48) 
02.  Walking Up Alone  (3:16) 
03.  Carlito  (3:56) 
04.  Dreamers  (3:34) 
05.  I Can't Afford That Feeling Anymore  (4:22) 
06.  That's Enough For Me  (4:57) 
07.  Maybe We Can Work It Out  (4:11) 
08.  How Can You Tell You Got It  (3:57) 
09.  The Dutchman  (4:42) 
10.  Distant Shores  (4:06) 
11.  The Best Days Of My Life  (4:02) 
12.  Simple Man (Reprise)  (0:52) 

Credits
Drums - Pim Koopman
Bass - Andy Kulberg 
Guitars - Chris Michie/Lex Bolderwijk/David Soul
Keyboards & synthesizer - Harry van Hoof
Percussion - Eddy Conard
Background vocals - Chris Michie/Hans Vermeulen/Piet Souer/Pim Roos/Rick Beekman/Arjan Brass/John van de Ven/José van de Wijdeven
Saxophones - Ton Barlage/Dick Vennik
Trumpet - Fons Diercks
Flute - Andy Kulberg - Accordion: Harry Mooten - Whistle: Bertus van Dam
Strings - Benny Behr (concert master)

Companies etc
Licensed Through – Warner Bros. Records
Recorded At – Wisseloord Studios
Produced At – Purple Eye Productions
Conductor – Harry van Hoof
Mastered By – Hans Brethouwer
Producer – Will Hoebee

Notes
With special thanks to Chris Michie/Andy Kulberg/Harry van Hoof
(Chris Michie by courtesy of Warner Brother Records
Orchestra arranged and conducted by Harry van Hoof
Background vocals arranged by Chris Michie
Recorded By – John van den Houten, Ronald Prent
Produced by Will Hoebee for Purple Eye Productions
Mixed by Will Hoebee/Harry van Hoof/David Soul/Ronald Prent
Recorded and mixed at the Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland
Recording engineers: John van den Houten/Ronald Prent

Label - Philips Records

Dakota Moon - Dakota Moon (1998)

Dakota Moon was a band formed in Los Angeles, California in the mid-1990s. The band played a meld of pop rock, country and urban R&B; all four of the band members sang as well as played instruments. The group is composed of Ray Artis (bass guitar, vocals), Joe Dean (guitar, vocals), Malloy (percussion, vocals), and Ty Taylor (guitar, vocals). To date, they have released two studio albums for Elektra Records, and have charted three singles on the Billboard singles charts.
The four members of Dakota Moon met during a recording session in Los Angeles, and decided to form a full-time band because the session went well. After touring the L. A. club circuit, the band was hired to open for Tina Turner in 1997, and they were signed with Elektra Records that same year.
“Dakota Moon” is their self-titled debut album. It was released in 1998 on Elektra Records.
The musicianship is stellar and the harmonies touch the sky! The opener "Another Day Goes By" is one of the most addictive tracks with its upbeat message and joyful chorus, "I want to be an eagle soaring high, sign my name across the sky; I gotta break free before I die, before another day goes by." "Snow In July" has Ty Taylor on lead vocals and sets a delicious groove in this breakup song guaranteed to set your toe tapping, "I thought that everything was fine but now you're turning on a dime & moving on." "She Knows" is an excellent track with Malloy's percussion giving a romantic march beat juxtaposed with the lads' soaring harmonies. "We Won't Be Alone Tonight" is also a great upbeat track with Dakota Moon's cool smooth vocal approach. The slow weeper "Black Moon Day" is a gorgeous melody with cello giving it a somber depth. "Dakota Moon" is a stunning debut whose musical quality should keep it from fading.

Track listing

01. "Another Day Goes By"  - 3:36
02. "A Promise I Make"   (G. Kennedy, W. Kirkpatrick, A. Logan, M. More, T. Sims)  - 4:27
03. "Violet"  - 4:13
04. "She Knows"  - 3:50
05. "Won't Be Alone Tonight"  - 3:55
06. "If I Can't Love You"  - 4:06
07. "Sing You to Sleep"  - 4:23
08. "Call on Me"   (W. Campbell, Logan, More)  - 4:12
09. "Black Moon Day"  - 3:53
10. "Snow in July"   (Kennedy, Kirkpatrick)  - 3:55
11. "Sweet Lady Jane"  - 4:19
12. "Your Smiling Face"   (James Taylor)  - 3:07
13. "Til We Meet Again"  - 9:19

All tracks written by Dakota Moon, Andrew Logan, and Mike More, except where noted.

Notes
Release date: April 14, 1998
Genre:  R&B
Length:  57:19
Producer(s):  Warren Smiley Campbell, Andrew Logan, Mike More

Label - Elektra Records

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at Carnegie Hall (1997)

“Live at Carnegie Hall” is a live Texas blues album by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, released on July 29, 1997 by Epic Records. The concert was recorded at New York City's Carnegie Hall on October 4, 1984, a day after Vaughan's thirtieth birthday (leading to Vaughan's description of the show as "My best birthday ever ... forever"), and was a benefit for the T.J. Martell Foundation.
Special guests included drummer George Rains, Dr. John on keyboards, the Roomful of Blues horn section, brother Jimmie Vaughan on guitar, and vocalist Angela Strehli. This was the first and only time in the band's history that the trio was expanded. The ensemble wore custom-tailored mariachi suits and a special stage set was designed, complete with drum and horn risers.
The set list was in large part Vaughan's personal, private, tribute to his models; his brother Jimmie Vaughan later recalled "Stevie told me he was gonna play the music of his heroes, the guys who never got to play Carnegie Hall ... He didn't announce it to the audience, he didn't say anything to the people at the label. It was just something between the two of us. That's why you've got those tunes by Guitar Slim, Albert Collins, and Albert King."
Several songs from the concert were left off the album, including a Jimi Hendrix cover of "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" and "The Sky Is Crying". These tracks were later released on the SRV box set in 2000.
In the audience were some of Vaughan's closest friends and family. Among them were his wife at the time, Lenny Bailey, and his parents, who were flown to New York City from Texas. John Hammond, who signed the band to Epic Records, was at the show to introduce Vaughan as "one of the great guitar players of all time".

Track listing

01.  "Intro"  (Ken Dashow / John Hammond)  - 2:09
02.  "Scuttle Buttin'"  - 2:43
03.  "Testify"   (Ronald Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley)  - 5:20
04.  "Love Struck Baby"  - 3:05
05.  "Honey Bee"  - 3:05
06.  "Cold Shot"   (Mike Kindred, W. C. Clark)  - 4:45
07.  "Letter to My Girlfriend"   (Eddie Jones)  - 3:08
08.  "Dirty Pool"   (Doyle Bramhall, Vaughan)  - 6:40
09.  "Pride and Joy"  - 4:48
10.  "The Things That I Used to Do" (Jones)  - 5:26
11.  "C.O.D."   (Leo Gooden)  - 5:32
12.  "Iced Over" (AKA "Collins' Shuffle")   (Gwen Collins/Stevie Ray Vaughan)  - 5:11
13.  "Lenny"  - 7:14
14.  "Rude Mood"  - 2:22

All songs were written by Stevie Ray Vaughan, except where noted.

Notes
Release date: July 29, 1997
Recorded: October 4, 1984 at Carnegie Hall in New York City
Genre:  Blues
Length:  61:28
Producer(s):  Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Martell

Label - Epic Records

Bryan Adams - Live! Live! Live! (1994)

Bryan Adams' first live album is probably his best one. This one covers his material pre- "Waking Up the Neighbours". For the most part (with the exception of the last song, an acoustic version of "Into the Fire"), this was a concert that was recorded in Wechter Belgium. We are told in both of the liner notes and on the the live album that this was recorded during a driving rain storm in Belgium. We are also told in the liner notes "nothing added, nothing taken away" From a live album standpoint, this is just about everything you expect from a live album - bring the full concert experience to the CD and that is exactly what this release does.
The only disappointing thing of this CD is that there is only 3 songs from "Into the Fire" and one was the acoustic version of "Into the Fire". I consider "Into the Fire" to be the best Bryan Adams CD from a creative and musical standpoint. In fact, the version of "Into the Fire" is from a concert in Japan.
1) She's Only Happy When She's Dancing - When going to live shows, I always wonder what will be the opening song. This one was one I wouldn't have expected to be an opening song, yet it fits the bill just right and brings up the level of intensity immediately. You'll hear how the crows responds to Adams and the band immediately.
2) It's Only Love - Although no duet with Tina Turner here, Adams pulls it off perfectly. After "Over and over again", the intense pause in the song comes off great live. You'll hear Adams point out the weather conditions at the end of the track
3) Cuts Like a Knife - Not one of my favorite Adams tracks, but like many of the songs - the live version makes it sound even better.
4) Kids Wanna Rock - Again, not one of my favorite Adams tracks - but the guitar rifts and drums come off beautifully in the live version. Adams raspy voice combined with the audience response to his performance will make it sound better.
5) Hearts on Fire - I loved this song on "Into the Fire", to me on this CD - it blows me away. Same theme as many other songs - sounds better live!
6) Take Me Back - Bryan will kick this song off with "Take Me Back Keith" referring to lead guitarist Keith Scott. Listen for how Bryan sings "G-O-N-E gone" - and the great jamming that takes place with the chorus "Take Me Back". Bryan gives some narrative at the end really adding a new dimension to this song.
7) The Best was Yet to Come
8) Heaven - These next two songs I refer to as the "Softer interlude". They come at the perfect time during the performance.
9) Heat of the Night - Intense is a good word to describe this number. This song has a close sound to the studio version and reflects both the high quality of studio and live work that Bryan and the band can pull off.
10) Run to You - "The tapping percussion" sound really provides a great intro into this song. Then the classic guitar intro and you have an incredible version of what I consider to be one of the ultimate Adams classic. The best way to put it - "The Live Version Doesn't Disappoint!"
11) One Night Love Affair - I might have guessed this would open the concert, but this is the perfect bridge following the intense version of "Run to You"
12) Long Gone - I was very pleased that Adams just didn't put his "Hits" on this Live Album. A song like "Long Gone" from Reckless is very underrated and I was thrilled to get to hear a live version of this song.
13) Summer of 69- Bryan will get the crowd to basically kick off the song and sing "I got my first real six string...". In general, I don't like audiences singing the verses of a song because I feel the performer's job is to do that. But it this case, it really doesn't sound bad.
14) Somebody - Bryan wraps up the main set with this song. Bryan will reach out to the crowd to sing along with him and in this case it sounds awesome! The band ends the set with a nice guitar bridge that says "Thank You Good Night"
15) Walking After Midnight
16) I Fought the Law - Maybe not what you would expect in the encore set, these are going to be wonderful. It's a nice change of pace to hear this stuff. They both are short and sweet and this is what I like in an encore as well.
17) Into the Fire - It's an acoustic version. I might have preferred to hear the intense rock version - but again - great change of pace and something different.

Track listing

01.  She's Only Happy When She's Dancing  (3:29)
02.  It's Only Love  (3:59)
03.  Cuts Like a Knife  (5:18)
04.  Kids Wanna Rock  (3:02)
05.  Hearts on Fire  (4:10)
06.  Take Me Back  (5:32)
07.  The Best Was Yet to Come  (2:52)
08.  Heaven  (4:16)
09.  Heat of the Night  (5:16)
10.  Run to You  (4:07)
11.  One Night Love Affair  (4:33)
12.  Long Gone  (4:06)
13.  Summer of 69  (4:47)
14.  Somebody  (5:34)
15.  Walking After Midnight  (2:18)
16.  I Fought the Law  (2:40)
17.  Into the Fire  (3:32)

Notes
Recorded:  Rock Werchter, Belgium at 3 July 1988
Release  Date: Dec 06, 1994
Length:  1:09:31
Genre:  Rock

Label - A&M Records

Stars On 45 - The Very Best Of (1991)

Stars On 45 - The Very Best Of (1991)
Stars on 45 was een Nederlands studioproject dat in de jaren 80 van de 20e eeuw enkele grote internationale hits scoorde met medleys van liedjes uit de jaren 60. In het Verenigd Koninkrijk heette het project Starsound, in de Verenigde Staten Stars on.
Stars on 45 was een idee van producent Jaap Eggermont, eerder o.a. producent van Livin' Blues en Catapult. Omdat Eggermont niet de oorspronkelijke banden mocht gebruiken, verzamelde hij in 1980 enkele Nederlandse zangers (onder wie Hans Vermeulen, Bas Muijs, Albert West, Tony Sherman, Arnie Treffers en Jody Pijper) om zich heen en maakte een medley van liedjes van The Beatles, opnieuw ingezongen, met een modern ritme. Het nummer Stars on 45 kwam een dag na de moord op John Lennon uit en werd in onder meer Nederland en de Verenigde Staten een nummer 1-hit (zij het in de VS in aangepaste versie in verband met auteursrechten).
In korte tijd scoorde de groep 5 hits, eerst met medleys van de Beatles, vervolgens ABBA en een instrumentale medley. Daarna met songs van Stevie Wonder en The Rolling Stones.

Track listing

1. Stevie Wonder Medley  (7:40
2. Beatles Medley  (15:48)
3. Medley - The Greatest Rock ´N´ Roll Band In The World  (5:08)
4. Medley - Star Wars And Other Hits  (5:11)
5. Abba Medley  (11:26)
6. Stars On Stevie Megamix (bonus track)  (7:39)

Notes
Genre: Disco, Mixed
Length: 52:52

Label - Arcade Records

Daryl Hall - Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine (1986)

"Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine" is a 1986 solo album by Daryl Hall.  Arriving just at the end of Hall & Oates' phenomenal streak of success in the early '80s, "Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine", Daryl Hall's second solo album, was viewed as the first overture in a solo career but, in retrospect, its kinship with his first solo effort, 1980's "Sacred Songs", is apparent.
There is some indication that Hall had to make, or wanted to make, some concessions to bring it onto the charts how could he not, he was one of the most popular musicians of his era but that's not particularly evident on the tremendous lead single, "Dreamtime," a swirling slice of arty new wave psychedelia sound. And this is a result of an artist who is given the freedom to make close to the record that he wants, with a few commercial concessions, plus a desire to make a modern record.
That does mean 3 Hearts is a bit tied to the time, particularly in its production with its clean synths and cavernous drum machines, but that's not necessarily a bad thing since it's primarily of interest as a portrait of where Hall was in 1986. He's not as insistently melodic as he is with Oates, nor is he as experimental as he was on Sacred Songs, and that does mean that 3 Hearts falls in a middle ground that's a bit neither here nor there. And that means it's not particularly cohesive, but it does have its moments, the brightest of which is "Dreamtime," one of his greatest achievements.

Track listing

01.  Dreamtime   (Daryl Hall, John Beeby)  - 4:45
02.  Only a Vision   (Hall)  - 4:34
03.  I Wasn't Born Yesterday   (Hall, David A. Stewart, Sara Allen)  - 4:24
04.  Someone Like You   (Hall)  - 5:33
05.  Next Step   (Hall, Stewart, T-Bone Wolk, Arthur Baker)  - 4:48
06.  For You   (Hall, Stewart, Wolk)  - 5:49
07.  Foolish Pride   (Hall)  - 3:57
08.  Right as Rain   (Hall)  - 4:23
09.  Let It Out   (Hall, Stewart)  - 3:51
10.  What's Gonna Happen To Us   (Hall)  - 5:39

Notes
Release date:  August 1986
Genre:  Rock, Pop
Length:  47:38
Producer(s):  Daryl Hall, David A. Stewart, Tom "T-Bone" Wolk

Label - RCA Records

Diana Ross - The Force Behind The Power (1991)

"The Force Behind The Power" is a 1991 album, released by Diana Ross on the Motown label. Featuring production from the likes of James Anthony Carmichael who used to work with The Commodores and Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Peter Asher, the album saw Ross solidifying her executive producing skills that she has honed since first leaving Motown in 1981. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" became a Top 10 hit across many international territories, and was prominently featured in Don Bluth's 1988 animated adventure film "The Land Before Time".
The international edition of The Force Behind the Power has two additional tracks, "No Matter What You Do," which is a duet with Al B. Sure!, and "You And I". Peter Asher finds a happy medium on only three tracks (the lovely Stevie Wonder-penned "Blame it on the Sun," the Diane Warren chestnut "Heart Don't Change My Mind," and the absolutely enchanting "If We Hold on Together"), but it's a case of too little, too late.
James Anthony Carmichael fares little better, with "Heavy Weather" and "Change of Heart" given glossy, unremarkable jazz-lite treatments. "You're Gonna Love It" is another attempt at cracking the urban market, and isn't particularly memorable (the subsequent club remixes were a marked improvement), but "Waiting in the Wings" is a definite standout--though more for Ross' beautifully layered performance and the sinuous melody line than for the still-timid production.
Stevie Wonder takes over production for the title track, and the results are decidedly fuller and funkier; unfortunately, the song itself has a distractingly clunky melody and arrangement. Repeated listening makes the whole affair much more listenable, but it takes a while to grow on you.

Track listing

01.  Change of Heart   (Britten, Lyle)  - 4:03
02.  When You Tell Me That You Love Me   (Bettis, Hammond)  - 4:13
03.  Battlefield   (Carrack, Lowe)  - 3:35
04.  Blame It on the Sun   (Wonder, Wright)  - 3:55
05.  You're Gonna Love It   (Davis, Tolbert)  - 5:11
06.  Heavy Weather   (Sembello)  - 4:59
07.  The Force Behind the Power   (Wonder)  - 4:42
08.  Heart (Don't Change My Mind)   (Buchanan, Warren)  - 4:19
09.  Waiting in the Wings   (Hill, Sinfield)  - 4:52
10.  You and I   (Dormer, Goldo, Vigil)  - 4:09
11.  One Shining Moment   (Thomas)  - 4:48
12.  If We Hold on Together   (James Horner, Will Jennings)  - 4:13
13.  No Matter What You Do (duet with Al B. Sure!)   (Brown, West)  - 5:09

Notes
Release date:  September 1991
Genre:  R&B, Soul
Length:  56:51
Producer(s):  Stevie Wonder, Al B. Sure, James Anthony Carmichael, Peter Asher

Label - Motown Records

Chicago - 14 (1980)

"Chicago XIV" is the fourteenth album overall, by the Americanband Chicago, released in 1980.
After the commercial and critical disappointment of "Chicago 13", and the departure of guitarist Donnie Dacus, Chicago decided that a new strategy was in order. Instead of incorporating another guitarist into the band, they instead hired on Chris Pinnick as a session player and live performer. They also tried a new producer, this time Tom Dowd, who had worked with Aretha Franklin, Cream, Eric Clapton, and Toto. With Dowd taking the reins, and with Chicago abandoning the ill-advised dance club atmosphere that permeated the last album, the team recorded a lean, more streamlined record which would, predictably, be called "Chicago XIV". It may have been a response to the under-produced, New Wave efforts on the radio at the time. The album was easily the band's least orchestrated effort to date. Still, it wasn't a perfect marriage, with Dowd having to shepherd a group whose members were not all on the same wavelength or headspace. With Peter Cetera taking an even greater role in the band, his compositions included a mix of ballads, pop and rock songs, giving "Chicago XIV" a somewhat adult contemporary sound. Robert Lamm turned in the rockers "Manipulation" and "I'd Rather Be Rich" (a song from 1975) and James Pankow also delivered the uptempo "The American Dream".

Track listing

01.  Manipulation   (Robert Lamm)  - 3:45
02.  Upon Arrival   (Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera)  - 3:48
03.  Song for You   (Peter Cetera)  - 3:41
04.  Where Did the Lovin' Go   (Peter Cetera)  - 4:06
05.  Birthday Boy   (Danny Seraphine, David Wolinski)  - 4:55
06.  Hold On   (Peter Cetera)  - 4:15
07.  Overnight Cafe   (Peter Cetera)  - 4:19
08.  Thunder and Lightning   (Robert Lamm, Danny Seraphine, Peter Cetera)  - 3:32
09.  I'd Rather Be Rich   (Robert Lamm)  - 3:08
10.  The American Dream   (James Pankow)  - 3:19

Notes
Release date:  July 21, 1980
Genre:  Soft Rock
Length:  38:58
Producer: Tom Dowd

Label - Columbia Records

Debbie Harry - KooKoo (1981)

"KooKoo" is the debut solo album by American Rock singer Debbie Harry, released in 1981. The album was recorded while Harry and boyfriend Chris Stein were taking a year long break from the band Blondie. The album was produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of the 70s disco group Chic, who had just had major success working with Diana Ross on her 1980 album "Diana".  "KooKoo" showcased the early fusion of funk, rock and dance music that would become the trademark of Rodgers and Edwards. Backing vocals were provided by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of Devo, credited as Spud and Pud Devo.
Harry's stern delivery over the funky backing winds up sounding forced, with lyrics that are clumsy and limited. "Inner City Spillover" starts off promising enough, but its metaphor of bricks in the city that fall on people's heads and end up paving serene suburban Maine roads hangs around four minutes too long. "KooKoo" has plenty of these clever and absurd moments that worked well when casually tossed about by Blondie, but they never based the whole song around them. "Backfired" is the most embarrassing, as it tries to recreate "Rapture"'s winning formula without the compelling groove, and "Under Arrest" is new wave funk-pop at its most generic and unsophisticated. The album's overall cynicism would be easier to take if Harry offered some answers or at least a viewpoint. Only the inspired funk of "The Jam Was Moving" deserves any attention, with Harry finally sounding comfortable.


Track listing

01.  Jump Jump   (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein)  - 4:04
02.  The Jam Was Moving  (Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)  - 2:59 
03.  Chrome   (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein)  - 4:17 
04.  Surrender  (Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)  - 3:37
05.  Inner City Spillover   (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein)  - 5:04
06.  Backfired   (Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)  - 4:54 
07.  Now I Know You Know   (Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)  - 5:39
08.  Under Arrest   (Bernard Edwards, Deborah Harry, Nile Rodgers, Chris Stein)  - 4:54
09.  Military Rap   (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein)  - 3:51
10.  Oasis   (Bernard Edwards, Deborah Harry, Nile Rodgers, Chris Stein)  - 4:59

Notes
Released:  July 27, 1981
Recorded and mixed at:  The Power Station, NYC
Genre:  Rock, Dance, Pop, Funk
Producer:  Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards

Label - Chrysalis Records

Level 42 - A Physical Presence (1985)

"A Physical Presence" is a two-disc live album by the British jazz-funk pop group Level 42, released in June 1985 and recorded in England during March 1985 at The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire. "A Physical Presence" is an impressive document of the band's dynamic live performances, and the live renditions of many of the songs improve on the original studio recordings.  Much of the material on "A Physical Presence" comes from the band's first four studio albums, and several of Level 42's minor British hits "Hot Water," "The Chinese Way" are included. Physical's highlights, however, are the blistering live takes on lesser-known non-single releases. For example, "Kansas City Milkman," which originally appeared in a somewhat lackluster version on the 1984 release "True Colours", is given new life in concert; the version here is slightly faster and more energetic than the original. "Eyes Waterfalling" (originally from the 1982 album "The Pursuit of Accidents") is given the same treatment and features Mark King's mind-boggling thumb-slapping bass-playing technique, which is all the more impressive considering his simultaneous role as lead vocalist. King is an amazing musician, but his fellow bandmates are no less capable; vocalist and keyboardist Mike Lindup, drummer Phil Gould, and guitarist Boon Gould give first-rate performances. Level 42's studio efforts (particularly on the early albums) tend to suffer from over-production, barely giving the musicians room to breathe. That certainly isn't the case here; on "A Physical Presence", Level 42 truly shines, combining energy, talent, and songcraft to breathtaking effect.

Track listing

Disc one
01.  Almost There  (King, P. Gould, R. Gould)  - 6:47
02.  Turn It On  (Badarou, P. Gould, R. Gould, King)  - 5:47
03.  Mr. Pink  (Badarou, King)  - 6:08
04.  Eyes Waterfalling  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, R. Gould)  - 5:20
05.  Kansas City Milkman  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)  - 7:17
06.  Follow Me  (King, R. Gould)  - 5:01
07.  Foundation & Empire  (King)  - 8:39

Disc two
01.  The Chant Has Begun  (King, P. Gould)   - 6:12
02.  The Chinese Way  (King, P. Gould, Badarou)  - 4:47
03.  The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)   - 4:59
04.  Hot Water  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, Badarou)   - 6:24
05.  Love Games  (King, P. Gould)   - 9:44
06.  88  (King)  - 12:33

Notes
Released:  June 1985
Recorded at:  The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire
Genre:  Funk, Fusion, Live
Length:  89:38
Producer:  Greg Jackman, Level 42

Label - Polydor Records