Search - Debbie Allen :: Special Look

A Couple of Good Tracks, But Overall Suffers from Weak Produ

RetroRhythms | USA | 09/02/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This was a somewhat disappointing effort to break Debbie Allen into the pop/R&B music sector. There are a few enjoyable moments -- namely, in the contagious, grooving titletrack, an uptempo mixture of funky keys and bass splashed with catchy vocal hooks and arrangements; and the quiet-storm ballad "Holdin' on to Love." Both of these tracks were wisely chosen as singles, as they showcase solid musicianship and Allen's pleasing (if not powerful) vocal prowess. Both were also produced by Attala Zane Giles, who was on a successful role at the time with his work for Vesta Williams (see the "Vesta 4 U" album).



Ironically, it's the productions here from Kashif - who had been well established at this point for his work with Melba Moore, Evelyn "Champagne" King, and his own recordings - and Jesse Johnson (of The Time fame) that falter. It sounds as if they're resorting to old formulas; and the multi-tracking of Allen's vocals on their cuts is obvious and cluttered. The end product sounds synthetic and fabricated -- as if the purer and friendly voice of Allen that was introduced in the first half of the set had been replaced by a more formulated and robotic one on songs like "Love Club," "Keepin' It Undercover," and "Love of All Time.""