Okay so towards the end AWB headed down the disco path which lead them away from what many saw as their true soul approach, however it is hard to find a soul artist who at this time did not go the same way. Disco had a short life but was ubiquitous, even the Rolling Stone were influenced with Miss You (featured on
Some Girls)being their biggest single of that era. So it was inevitable that AWB also followed this trend, I for one was disappointed that they did not retain a stronger jazz element that was there in their very early work but I do recognise why they took the direction they did, and they produced some cracking albums along the way.
Within the changing stylistic context that these albums were recorded this represents a very strong finish for a fine band. For a band that formed in the unlikely setting of Dundee (albeit in a tremendously creative cultural melting pot of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art), AWB travelled a long way. This band had quite a strong influence on a number of 80s bands sounds who are the current retro flavour of the month and style followers could do a lot worse than starting with this bands music.
My recommendation is to start with the bookends of this album and
Show Your Hand & How Sweet Can You Get & Average White Band. You should then check out
The Collection Vol.2: Cut the Cake/Soul Searching/Benny and Us and
Person to Person,
Warmer CommunicationsThis is all great stuff, in a smooth soul way and although I like a lot of other types of music that is more challenging (e.g.
Trout Mask Replica &
Third) or back to basics (e.g.
De Stijl &
I Started Out With Nothin And I Still Got Most Of It Left)I still feel that this music demands its place in my collection. Don't be afraid of music that is different, variety is interesting, you are not being asked to sign up to any philosophical or political ideology other than to be open to difference and tolerance is something we all need to hold on to right now.