Includes Smooth Talk, Dancin Dancin Dancin, Shame, Nobody Know and More.
CD Reviews
An uncut diamond!
Andre Heeger | Germany | 04/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When Shame and Smooth Talk hit the radio waves in Holland back in 1977 the country (at least the part that loved soul music) was changed forever.
Just imagine a terrific voice, tight playing, some of the best funketeers around (Instant Funk) all together creating the nicest danceable feel good soul music. A very Philly-sound like production with nice guitar, percussion, sax solos.
Even though the record was played over and over in all the discotheques the lowlands had to offer, I wouldn't want to call this disco music. The horn-percussion driven up tempo songs are definitely made to move you, but wooow, what a diversity. Still so rough and wild, not so much streamlined like most music that people stamped as disco.
If you like Instant Funk, Teddy Pendergrass (who co-wrote one song), this might be for you. If you're more into the true disco craze, you might want to check out her later discs.
As to the cover: horrible! Check out the other customer image. That was the original cover. Thank God the back cover is the same as that of the original lp."
FIVE STAR DEBUT FROM A FIRST CLASS SINGER
Malridge Mace, IV | New York, NY United States | 09/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This reissued cd debut classic from Evelyn Champagne King is excellent in every way. Apart from the known hits, other songs from the lp such as "Smooth Talk" and "The Show Is Over" really compliment the singer well -- the latter a ballad vocal showcase for Ms. King, something she is not well known for. Of course, fans have known for years The Champagne has more than a way with a slow tune. Would rate this one 10 stars if I could. This reissue will leave listeners no doubt as to why the original vinyl lp was a million seller - the gold standard before the RIAA lowered its certification requirements."
Smooth Soul
Anthony Dickerson | Greensboro, NC USA | 03/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This woman can sing ya'll! From her bona fide hit "Shame" to the mellow "The Show Is Over"-late 70s R & B doesn't get better than this. Class A Entertainment."
It's pretty damn good indeed
Marcel Wild | Matieland 7602 South Africa | 09/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Evelyn's debut album is very fine indeed; a big applause also
to her band with that juicy sound (in particular the sax), that you just don't get anymore these days! Evelyn is one of the women that reached her peak with her first or second album. Others being Thelma Houston, Millie Jackson, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole. I wouldn't go as far as the fellow from Greensboro in saying that 70's R&B doesn't get better than "Smooth talk".
In my opinion, you'd be hard pressed to top Thelma's debut
album "sunshower", and various gems of Ashford&Simpson and
Gladys Knight&Pips, and an incredible live performance of Vivian Reed in Paris (has that vinyl record ever been released on cd?).
Having said that, don't let my 4 stars dissuade you from buying Smooth Talk; I'm
just very conservative with my ratings (to counter the 5 star inflation that we experience here at Amazon.com)."
Champagne at it's best
kevi32 | lakewood, ca United States | 02/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of her best works ever! You can tell she was singing from her heart. Her voice still sounds the same as it did on the first recording. I grew up on this music, from the funky disco smash "Shame" to the smooth groves of "I don't know if it's right, and one her best slow jams "The Show is over". You can not go wrong with the R&B, POP, Disco CD. I Love it!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1