Valley Vue was a great little label in the late 80s and early 90s and one of the best things to be released on the little, yet mighty, label was this excellent album from the veteran Manhattans who, had, then, notched up 25 years. By 1989 Gerald had left for pastures new at Taj / Motown and for this album the lead singer came in the shape of the more than able Roger Harris. The album was available on LP and CD (still available!) and had input from some very classy names from the soul world such as Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, Leo Graham, Michael Wycoff and Gary Taylor! All create a stunning mix of dancers and ballads which was – yet again – ignored at the time, but deserves to be in the spotlight now. Fans of quality, major label sounding late 80s soul are in for a real treat. The album teaser was the brilliantly buoyant single, “Sweet Talk” - a track I even heard played on late night TV show the Hit Man and Her! LOL. Sturken and Evans had already made their mark by 1989, and the tune they proved the gents with here was not only suitable for the group but was also very much in keeping with the times. Stylish and effective.
The deep, deep voice of William “Blue” Lovett gives us a splendidly alluring performance on the classy “Just A Matter Of Time”. His monologue borders cheesy BUT the music and sax really create some atmosphere! The two KILLERS on here really are the shining stars (no pun intended!) on this album. If Gary Taylor's most haunting ballads on “Take Control” are your bag then you will die for “Why You Wanna Love Me Like That” and “I Won't Stop”. The former was a new track on which Roger Harris sounds absolutely amazing – Gary Taylor really was, at this time, capable of no wrong and this song to this very second still kills me. The haunting synths and unique style that Taylor employs is mouth-watering. The guys are treated to a cover of Gary's own song from “Compassion”, “I Won't Stop”. I find that Gary seems to improve his own work when he gives it to someone else! This is certainly the case here and the song is heightened to astral proportions by the use of THOSE Monte Moir-styled haunting synths. Gary also joins in the backing harmonies, and as such makes the song a real killer. Timeless, these songs are as essential today as they were in the Autumn of 1989 when originally released. Amazing.
Barry Towler,
The Vibe Scribe
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