I Commit to Love
Artist: Howard Hewett

Howard Hewett made a smooth transition from being a member of the trio Shalamar to becoming a bonafide solo artist. His first single to hit the Billboard R&B charts was the romantically enchanting "I'm for Real." Too fast to be a ballad and not fast enough to be a jam, Hewett still captivated radio and his audience with this moderate number. The... Read More

Ice Cream Castle
Artist: The Time
Community Score: 9.00

The final album released before the Time splintered into pieces for the remainder of the '80s, Ice Cream Castle provides ample evidence in regard to both the group's undeniable talents and also the personal issues that ultimately led to their demise. On the one hand, Ice Cream Castle finds the Time perfecting their patented style of synth-heavy... Read More

What Time Is It?
Artist: The Time
Community Score: 9.00

Despite only releasing three albums in the early '80s, the group thought of primarily as Prince's opening act by many at the time proved to be an influential group in retrospect. And if there is one album that illustrates why the Time deserve such praise, it's What Time Is It? First of all, the group only released a trilogy of early-'80s albums,... Read More

Shirley Murdock
Artist: Shirley Murdock

A shocker in its time. Marvelous vocals. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

In My Life: Greatest Hits
Artist: Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills is barely five feet tall but packs a wallop that defies her size. This brief eight-song set provides a good introduction to the songstress for those not down with the native New Yorker. Mid tempo love tales "Never Knew Love Like This Before," and "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" are exciting vehicles for Mills expressive... Read More

The Best of Patti LaBelle - EPIC
Artist: Patti LaBelle

Many of these songs appear on other Patti Labelle solo compilations, but this hits package covering the singer's 1977-1982 Epic sides stands out for its inclusion of the huge Labelle hit "Lady Marmalade." The 1974, Allen Touissant-produced classic was arguably Labelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash's finest hour and a wonder to behold from the... Read More

I Feel for You
Artist: Chaka Khan
Community Score: 10.00
Chaka Khan
Artist: Chaka Khan
Rock Me Tonight
Artist: Freddie Jackson
Community Score: 9.00

Here on his debut album, Freddie Jackson enjoyed admirable chart success with each of the four singles. The initial single, "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)," was a very rhythmic ballad with an easy-flowing chorus enhanced by some nostalgic lyrics. It hit the Billboard R&B charts in April 1985, and stayed afloat for 26 weeks. The song... Read More

The Night I Fell in Love
Artist: Luther Vandross
Community Score: 8.80

His fourth album under the Epic banner, and Luther Vandross still retains that freshness that is fulfilling to his audience and rightly so. This album spawned four Billboard R&B singles in "'Til My Baby Comes Home," "It's Over Now," "Wait for Love," and "If Only for One Night." However, as superb as these songs are, any one of the remaining... Read More