Critic's Review
Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide
Fresh from his Masekela experience and hoping to dabble in the then-raging disco movement, Herb Alpert recorded a soaring dance-beat tune composed by his nephew Randy Badazz and friend Andy Armer, slowed the tempo way down, and put it out as a 12-inch disco single. Hardly anyone except Alpert and Badazz thought it would sell, but almost as if on command, "Rise" inexorably rose up the charts, landing at number one to provide Alpert with the biggest hit of his life. Faced with following up a sudden huge hit, Alpert quickly put together an album brimming with renewed confidence and an instinct for the contemporary jugular, assimilating then-current dance beats and electronic backing instruments. He even goes beyond the contemporary with the avant-garde, electronic loop stunt piece "Rotation," which still sounds fascinating today. And Alpert's trumpet playing has newfound authority and power; a number one hit can do wonders for your adrenaline level. Rise brought Alpert back to the upper reaches (No. 6) of the album charts, and discophobes will always be grateful to "Rise"'s laidback beat for having the ironic effect of letting the hot air out of the disco craze, which soon faded from sight.
