Marcus Miller - Marcus - 1984 - Warner Brothers

Marcus Miller has carried on recording albums since this 1984 effort for Warner Brothers, but for my money he has done nothing to beat this album nor 1983's superb "Suddenly" set. I would, though, check out the 2006 album, "M2", on which Raphael Saadiq takes centre stage on "Boomerang". Excellent! Anyway...back to 1984! Marcus' Bass, production, writing and vocal work is - for me - simply superb and I am really happy when all talents are drawn together and used on one CD. OK, for this particular album I am drawn to but 2 songs but what a brace of choonage to feast your ears on here! Fans of sultry, lazy, laid-back summer soul grooves need only apply. "Is There Anything I Can Do" and "Nadine" really are a special couplet of songs and crave your attention. Once only available on CD in Japan both "Suddenly" and "Marcus Miller" have since been reissued in the UK at a very reasonable price.

My first choice is the wonderful "Is There Anything I Can Do". Anyone who says Marcus does not have a capable voice is simply mad and probably on the wrong website! This tropical, summery jogger is nothing short of timeless. A quarter of a century old and it's not dates one second in my honest opinion. I note with interest how this vocal style was used by rappers Outkast on their KILLER ballad, "Prototype" back in 2003. Coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences. "Nadine" is my second choice. All I can say is listen to the song below and if you don't say "wow!" then I really don't know what to say. To me, this is sheer sexy ear candy and from the tinkling, soulful bass, Fender Rhodes and spaced out synth I can only feel exhilarated and warm. This is what 80s tunes so damn great. Real atmosphere and plenty of texture. I love this track, and invariably switch from this to other faves from the same time frame such as Chaka Khan's "Through The Fire", George Benson's "New Day" and Bobby Womack's "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much". Simply an amazing time and I miss them so much.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Bobby Glover - Bad Bobby Glover - 1984 - Columbia

Bobby Glover is a singer in the traditional sense - undoubtedly he found his footing in the non-secular world and his firebrand style vocals are raw and cutting enough to shred ribbon. This rough, impassioned vocal style is drenched in soul and the man is met head on by a bubbly and funky Roger Troutman and Zapp who know how to wrap the funky tunes around him, deploying a fiercely funky set that will appeal to devotees of the Funk as well as classy 80s balladry. You may recall the short-lived 3-Way record label released a compilation in 1988 called "Time Is Right" which was comprised of many a Columbia gem from the 70s and 80s. Well, "It's My Turn" was the choice included on that set and an inspired choice it was too. This particular song is summery, downtempo, and so soulful that it hurts. Roger and the gang have done a great job here, and on this cut the amazing Shirley Murdock can be heard doing what she does best.

"Your Spell" is a tune that should do well on radio and dancefloors even today, the slinky, funky rhythm is not over the top, yet the clapping beat and quirky keyboards and dominant bassline should get a few feet on the move. Total class. The Zapp-like "So Mean" is quirky, freaky and funky but at no point does the famous talk-box come into play, instead some ripping synth and horns - fans of New Horizons will get to grips with this easily. There is a cut called "Happy" which really proves to be a great vehicle for Bobby's smoother side, and the Ohio Players-ish "Bright Skies, Sunny Days" has Dayton, Ohio stamped all over it - a loose, summery melody and stylish 80s keyboards are the order of the day. Those already exposed to "It's My Turn" will no doubt take a shine to the similarly smooth "I Love You" and "I Can't Stand The Pain". It's a pity we had but one album for this gentleman. Such a powerful, soulful vocalist and one that should have had a greater career. Mind you, these days who knows who will show up and when!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Mtume - You, Me And He - 1984 - Epic

By 1984 James Mtume had parted company with Reggie Lucas for well over 12 months. Mtume had developed his unique blend of synthetic bass-driven funk and although a real departure from his earlier work – “Juicy Fruit” was his conversion – the soul still remains strong. I think that James' production skills are second to none and considering the indescribable talent of Tawatha Agee therein lies a potent chemistry for superb music making. One of my favourite years, 1984 saw the release of “You, Me & He”. If you love THAT Mtume sound then you will love this album. Thankfully this and “Juicy Fruit” are available for purchase on CD at a very reasonable price indeed. This album featured the popular “Tie Me Up” single. I've not included this song here as I much prefer the 12” version. Anyone who remembers Robbie Vincent and Chris Hill japing around to this on Soul Weekender radio will recall it with a smile!

“C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)” is classic Mtume. A clapping beat, synth, keys and a hand-clapping beat ably fronted by Tawatha and giving the fact it's now an astonishing 24 years old it still retains all the allure and power that accompanied it on my first hearing. Superb. “You Are My Sunshine” is more down tempo, brooding and melancholic but as Tawatha joins into the conversation the tempo uplifts and then things perk up a bit. I love this song. Such a classy effort. Thirdly, I spotlight the title song, “You, Me & He” which gives me chills. This man can create slamming up tempo tunes as well as hot ballads and that's what I call talent. Talking of slamming up tempo tunes, check “Prime Time” which is very Zapp-like. I can't get enough of Mtume and what a pity his 90s Philadelphia International album never arose. I'm going to email President Obama to see if he can order him into the studio...executive orders or something??? What I would do if I had power...

Barry Towler,

The Vibe Scribe

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Johnny Mathis - A Special Part Of Me - 1984 - Columbia

No tittering at the back there! I bet many soul fans don't even give this guy a second thought. That's a pity as over the years he has notched up a fair few mega-soulful gems. His 70s work with Thom Bell is exemplary, and in the 80s he released a LOT of material which would have gone down a storm if many had given it a chance. I chose this album, released in 1984, as it is a great representation of what this Legend is capable of doing with the right backing and production. 1984 was also a classy year, and if albums released at that time by Deniece Williams, George Duke, Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Clarke and Rodney Franklin are to your liking then I suggest you add this to your collection. “Simple” is our first track, and has a great Jay Graydon feeling, although produced by Denny Diante. Check out the glorious backing music.

As I say, 1984 saw some serious money thrown at quality artists and Johnny Mathis was not discounted from that particular pleasure. Johnny duets with the amazing and beautiful Angela Bofill on the title cut, and this also appeared on her “Teaser” album. My favourite song on here is the mid tempo number, “Love Never Felt So Good” which features Nathan East on bass and Seawind's own Jerry Hey arranging the horns. I love this song to pieces, as I do on the beautiful “Priceless”. This beauty of a song was written by Leon Ware and features Larry Carlton and Paulinho Da Costa. This track is so typical of the timeless work we have come to expect from Leon Ware. This album really deserves your attention, and I'll be bringing a few more soulful gems from this great vocalist to your attention. This is available – if you search hard enough! - on CD but if you are happy to download it from iTunes then it's all there for you!

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

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The Temptations - Truly For You 1984 - Gordy

This has to be my favourite Tempations albums of all-time - most certainly of the 1980s at any rate. This album spawned a surprise UK top 10 hit in the form of "Treat Her Like A Lady", and was written and fronted by then-rookie Ali-Ollie Woodson. Even at this early stage Ali demonstrates great raw vocal power and to my mind he has developed and matured with age. Such a classy album, and since release in October 1984 has been staple choonage in my player. The album benefitted from the production of Earth, Wind & Fire's superb Al McKay, along with co-hort Ralph Johnson, and he continues on in style from where he left of with Finis Henderson's 1983 set. Consisting of very credible dancers and string-laden ballads, "Truly For You" remains a true masterpiece within the Temptations back catalogue. This was released on CD in the US many years ago, and having been deleted become highly sought after. However it has been re-issued, along with "Magic" by Motown in Japan at a very reasonable price. Snap it up while you can as these are usually pretty limited.

I already note "Treat Her Like A Day" was a smash UK side - a pity it never took off in the US. It's a classy, uptempo 80s soul gem and was a perfect vehicle for a group that had already been around for a quarter of a century! They easily stepped up to the plate and turned in a great performance. The follow-up single was a scorching, string-laden, ballad called "My Love Is True (Truly For You)" and bar a corny monologue courtesy of Otis Williams stands up as well today in 2009 as back in the day. "Memories" is a brilliantly encouraging piece of music, chirpy, happy and totally in the Jay Graydon / Al Jarreau sort of mould. If you're down in the dumps then this sort of material can really raise your spirits. However, for me, the best track by far - possibly my all-time favourite Tempations cut - is the beautiful midtempo "Just To Keep You In My Life". I have very fond memories of this song and today I still spin it VERY regularly. Melvin Franklin's monologue adds weight to the exquistely paced dancer, "Set Your Love Right" and the set closes on a high with a very capable cover of "I'll Keep My Light In My Window", a cut written by Leonard Caston for his criminally undervalued "Caston & Majors" set back in 1974. An essential album.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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