When Eddie Levert's two sons, Gerald and Sean, teamed with Marc Gordon to form their own trio, everyone in the R&B community expected great things. They didn't get off to a good start when they recorded for the tiny Tempre label, but once they moved to Atlantic, Levert began building their image and reputation. They earned a number one R&B hit with "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" and followed it with a Top 20 single in "Let's Go Out Tonight." Gerald's delivery, tone and approach mirrored his father's; their harmonies and production were contemporary, yet also reflected The O'Jays' influence.

A pair of great Mtume albums for Epic – paired up in a sweet 2CD package! Kiss This World Goodbye is early crossover set from Mtume – one that still holds onto some of the elements first forged in the spiritual jazz underground of the early 70s, yet one that also starts to showcase more of the tighter soul groove he'd burst into prominence in the early 80s! The blend is a great one, and makes the album one of Mtume's most compelling records – as even amidst some of the more grooving numbers, there's some great offbeat elements at work too – almost putting the record in the territory of work by Roy Ayers or Edwin Birdsong.

Around the time this 1980 album came out, James Mtume and his partner, Reggie Lucas, were known for their excellent production work with singers like Phyllis Hyman and Stephanie Mills. Mtume and Lucas are also skilled musicians, as demonstrated here. Mtume contributes lead vocals and background vocals and plays keyboards and percussion, while Lucas shines in his lead and rhythm guitar playing and joins in the background vocals as well.

Mtume - Juicy (2005) {Sony BMG A93731 rec 1980-1986}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 303 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 120 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 37 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1980-86, 2005 Sony BMG Music | A 93731
R&B / Funk / Contemporary R&B

A decent ten-track summary of 1980's In Search of the Rainbow Seekers, 1983's Juicy Fruit, 1984's You, Me and He, and 1986's Theater of the Mind, Juicy contains some of Mtume's most significant contributions to '80s R&B radio, though it doesn't leave enough room for a couple highlights (such as "C.O.D. [I'll Deliver]," a minor quiet storm hit that deserved better). Full-blown '80s R&B freaks really should track down each album, but it is a pleasant surprise that this set exists. The more enduring standouts include "Would You Like To (Fool Around)," "You, Me and He," and – of course – the perfect "Juicy Fruit."