Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King - The RCA Albums 1977-1985 (2020) {8CD Set, Soul Music Records SMCR -5197BX}
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© 2020 RCA / Soul Music Records | SMCR -5197BX
R&B / Disco / Contemporary R&B / Post-Disco

Combining her diva-level vocal power and teen-next-door effervescence, Evelyn "Champagne" King scored a trifecta with "Shame," a Top Ten hit on Billboard's club, R&B, and pop charts across 1977 and 1978. The definitive disco classic was merely the start of a long run with RCA Victor highlighted by 19 additional charting singles and a trio of Top Ten R&B LPs through 1986. Commercial R&B evolved rapidly during this period. King was in on virtually all of the developments, including but not limited to funky disco (backed by members of Instant Funk, whose underappreciated T. Life discovered and first produced her) and pop-flavored post-disco (assisted most prominently by innovators Morrie Brown, Kashif, and Paul Laurence Jones).

Larry Blackmon and his Cameo mates ruled funk's domain for over a decade. Cameo evolved from its origins as a horn-based and dominated ensemble into a synthesizer-oriented group that still featured sturdy basslines and exuberant vocals, but was in tune with urban and black America's new sensibility. These 14 selections range from the formative cuts "Rigor Mortis," "Shake Your Pants," and "It's Over" to the definitive "Word Up," "Candy," and "Back and Forth." Blackmon's alternately sneering, defiant, and aggressive vocals were the constant from Cameo's beginnings in the 1970s to their emergence as funk's reigning champions in the 1980s.

A collection from the Mercury funk lineup that covers the hits from the first five Gap Band albums. Every major hit that they had is included here. What one might notice is that all of the major hits ("You Dropped a Bomb on Me," "Burn Rubber on Me," "Early in the Morning," and "I Don't Believe You Want to Get up and Dance") all sound surprisingly similar. This may or may not be a large surprise to everyone, but the bright note about their similarity is that the basic riffs and rhythms that they all use are extremely catchy. The energy that the Gap Band exudes in the midst of producing a song is stunning, and this compilation displays that to the fullest extent. For a basic introduction to the forms of funk that the Gap Band followed, this album would certainly suit any given listener. For those who only need one Gap Band album in their collection, this one also fits the bill perfectly. For die-hard fans who already have all of the band's albums, this one would probably only really serve as a summary.

Mark is the new smooth king of "Love Pop", the german invention of the '80s. With his wonderful voice and tender ways of singing, Mark captures the hearts of millions of fans around the world.