Heatwave - Коллекция - 1976-1982 (5 альбомов) {Japanese remasters 2010}

Too Hot to Handle was the debut album from the soul/funk ensemble Heatwave, and it was well received by R&B and pop fans. Their initial release was the disco anthem "Boogie Nights." From the suspenseful, interlude-like intro to the adamant vocal delivery, the single had a lasting effect on the charts. It peaked at numbers five and two on the Billboard R&B and pop charts, respectively. The ballad "Always and Forever" was and continues to be an ageless piece. Johnnie Wilder's vocal exhibition throughout the vamp is breathtaking. It peaked at number two on the Billboard R&B charts. These two releases were respectively certified platinum and gold singles. Heatwave did not waste any recording time. This album employs nothing but quality tracks. The moderately paced "Ain't No Half Steppin'" was received warmly by radio, and it remains a staple. While Rod Temperton was writing excellent songs, Johnnie Wilder's supreme vocals gave the songs their identity.

If you could use only one adjective to describe Heatwave's sound, it would be "smooth." The band's romantic ballads and slow jams were the epitome of smooth, and that adjective also describes many of their up-tempo funk grooves. This isn't to say that Heatwave's funk lacked grit -- it had plenty of grit, but even so, it was an undeniably smoother style of funk than Parliament/Funkadelic, James Brown, Tower of Power, Rick James, or the Bar-Kays. In fact, when Kool & the Gang switched to a smoother, sleeker approach in 1979 and hired J.T. Taylor as its new lead vocalist, Heatwave was a big influence. The Kool & the Gang that emerged on 1979's Ladies' Night is certainly a lot more Heatwave-like than the gutbucket, down-and-dirty Kool & the Gang of "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging." And it isn't hard to hear the parallels between Taylor and Heatwave's Johnnie Wilder. It's safe to assume that when Kool & the Gang was reinventing itself, its members had Too Hot to Handle and Central Heating in their collections. With this excellent sophomore effort, Heatwave lived up to the promise it showed on Too Hot to Handle. The invigorating funk smash "The Groove Line" became a disco-era anthem, and the album's other big hit, "Mind Blowing Decisions," is a quiet-storm classic. From up-tempo funk grooves like "Party Poops" and "Put the Word Out" to the romantic Northern soul of "Happiness Togetherness" and "Leaving for a Dream," Central Heating is among Heatwave's strongest releases.

Heatwave's third album, Hot Property, marked the first time one of their records wasn't produced by Barry Blue; instead of using Blue, the band went with Phil Ramone this time out. Hot Property isn't quite in a class with Too Hot to Handle or Central Heating, and its main single, "Eyeballin'," isn't the disco-era anthem that "The Groove Line" became. Nonetheless, the album has a lot going for it. Once again, Heatwave are as convincing on up-tempo numbers as they are on slower material. "Eyeballin'" (not to be confused with the Mass Production song), "Raise a Blaze," and "One Night Tan" are infectious examples of the type of smooth funk that Heatwave did so well, while "That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight" and the Stylistics-influenced "First Day of Snow" demonstrate that the band were equally appealing on romantic ballads and slow jams. To their credit, Heatwave weren't afraid to bring jazz and Latin influences to their R&B foundation: "Therm Warfare" and "Razzle Dazzle" are funk-dance numbers with jazz overtones, while the exuberant "Disco" contains hints of Brazilian music. If you already have Too Hot to Handle and Central Heating in your collection, Hot Property is the next Heatwave album to acquire.

Heatwave had come a long way from 1977's smash "Boogie Nights" by the time the decade rolled over. They still were masterfully pulling together a smooth blend of soul, funk, and disco, but numerous lineup changes over two years took their toll. At the same time, though, the ease with which they brought a more subtle texture to their music was testament to their enduring dedication. And even through vocalist Johnnie Wilder Jr. was paralyzed in an automobile accident before recording, he was able to return to the band to cut studio vocals for Candles, making this album a joyous occasion. Full of smooth soul breaks and fiery funk riffs packed around a healthy helping of pure disco, Candles does pale somewhat in comparison to earlier singles, but nevertheless remains a strong addition to the genre -- no easy feat for any album appearing after disco's true heyday. By 1980, most bands had forgotten how important a good groove was in their haste to synthesize anything not nailed down. Heatwave did not. And that is reflected across this album. From "Gangsters of Groove," which gave the band their hit, to the effusive "Jitterbuggin" and the absolutely marvelous "Turn Around," Heatwave keeps their feet firmly in organic territory. Johnnie Wilder Jr.'s "Goin' Crazy," meanwhile, could still turn in a slab of soft funk. Candles also boasts a staggering five tracks penned by former bandmate Rod Temperton, now carving out a career penning hits for Michael Jackson and Rufus, among others. The partnership he retained with his old crew certainly adds an interesting slant to their overall sound. This is a strong album, better perhaps than its predecessors given its resulting cohesion. The frenzy is gone, to be replaced by a sweet sound -- a different kind of Heatwave, then; one which percolates, rather than hitting you straight on.

With four successful albums behind them in nearly as many years, and despite the fact that they were in the beginning throes of the bitter end of the band, Heatwave brought their fifth album, Current, to bear in 1982 and scored another Top 30 U.S. hit to boot. With producer Barry Blue again at the helm and with another clutch of Rod Temperton-penned songs behind their substantial R&B chops, Heatwave was able to add one final feather to a cap that history continues to seriously underrate. And, although the album as a whole doesn't capture the band's early, and best, intentions, it's clear that Heatwave still had a few hot shots. It is pinned down by "Lettin' It Loose," which serves up a very late-in-the-day disco with a synthesized beat and profundo bass, which brought the band into the charts for the last time in August 1982. There are several other bright moments as well, including the hit's original B-side, "Mind What You Find." The nearly instrumental "The Big Guns," meanwhile, gives great groove, while Current's closing track, "Look After Love," draws the curtain across another blue ballad. Featuring Imagination's Leee John and Ashley Ingram as guest vocalists, this song in particular emerges as one of the album's best. It's rendered even more poignant as this formidable vocal team is here only to replace the irreplaceable Johnny Wilder, paralyzed in an auto accident shortly before work began on the album. Although Current probably won't be of much interest to the casual listener, for the Heatwave aficionado this career-capper is a sweet ride through an era that spanned more than a few genres and allowed the band to flex their muscles in them all.