Side one begins with “Let It All Blow”. As the first single, it hit number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 9 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 3 on the US Billboard Dance chart. It features a steady beat, a funky bass hook, and a laid back lyrical delivery.
“Keep You Comin’ Back for More” lays out a heavy guitar riff that really revs the engine. I think this one might have made for a better lead single; of the first two tracks on the album I prefer this one quite a bit more.
The mid-tempo groove “She’s the One” tempts and tantalizes.
The smooth ballad “Heartbeat”, the second single, stalled at number 100 on the US Billboard Hot 200 yet rose to number 12 on the US Billboard R&B chart.
Side two opens with “Dream Girl”, a song that covers similar territory as the earlier “She’s the One”. Keeping them on separate sides helps break it up a bit. The guitar work and the horns here are a nice touch.
The up-tempo “Undercover Lover” sings the praises of secret affairs.
Things then slow back down with the ballad “I’ve Been Waiting”.
“Main Attraction” is another song about a knockout woman that captures every guy’s attention. Clearly this was a reoccurring theme in the Dazz Band’s catalog.
The album closes out with the jazzy, mid-tempo “So Much Love”.
Again, thanks to my buddy Herc for allowing me to give this one a listen. I never heard any of Jukebox back in the 80’s; the lack of a chart-topping hit kept this one hidden from me. If I heard any of these songs in the clubs, I would be hard pressed to identify them as belonging to the Dazz Band. Overall, I found the record to be middle of the road R&B at the time.
For more of from the Dazz Band, click here.
1 comment:
Heard "Let It All Blow" on a Saturday night mix show on the radio at work.
Went out and bought the album soon thereafter before finding the 12" single a few weeks later.
Still love "Let It All Blow" but would be hard-pressed to name another song from the album without peeking.
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