Search - Sylvester :: 12 X 12 Collection

A slice of Sylvester's mid-1980s music

09/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes! This album avoids the main trap of most greatest hits albums: it does not try to summarize the artist's whole career, instead focusing on a specific time period, in this case, Sylvester's brilliant mid-1980s dance music. As a result, it's great fun to listen to, and difficult to quibble with the selections.The album features a selection of songs from Sylvester's three albums on Megatone Records, 'All I Need,' 'Call Me,' and 'M-1015,' which are all worth searching for in used record shops. It was released in 1988, shortly before the singer's tragic death from AIDS-related complications. With the exception of "One Night Only," Sylvester's remake of a song from the musical "Dreamgirls," the album is completely aimed at the dance floor. From the Patrick Cowley-synthesizer bash "Do You Wanna Funk" to the soaring vocals of "Take Me to Heaven" or "Power of Love," this album is danceable in the extreme, every track featuring driving drums and synth work. Most tracks fall comfortably in the 130 BPM range, and average around 4-5 minutes in length.What makes this album work, though, are the vocals. Sylvester's distinctive falsetto makes the songs happen; they hold up to repeated listening, not just dancing, because his voice is incredible.Now for the nit-picking. Nearly every greatest hits album leaves off a few worthy tracks. Where, for instance, is "Rock the Box," which mixes club beats with flair and hypnotic vocals. Another ballad or mid-tempo song would have been nice, too, to balance the dance numbers. How about "Shadow of a Heart" or "I Don't Wanna Think About It"? Last quibble: "Lovin' Is Really My Game." This song is long and relatively boring. Leave it off, and replace it with one of the aforementioned tracks. Beyond these minor adjustments, though, this album is perfect for both dancing and listening. A well-done retrospective on Sylvester's incredible work."

Longggg before there was RuPaul - there was Sylvester!

Get What We Give | Georgia | 02/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was released many years back and originally in a very limited release. I played the devil trying to find that album, but I finally did. Now here it is again!While his earlier hits "You Make Me Feal (Mighty Real)" and "Don't Stop" are some of the best known, I'd have to say that my very favorite is the Patrick Cowley produced "Do Ya Wanna Funk?". My coming out story took place in the early 1980's and so did that song... Also, "Do Ya Wanna Funk?" prominently appears in the soundtrack for "Longtime Companion" at the tea dance on Fire Island. This also dredges up memories for me of that song and dancing the afternoon away at many a tea dance.Following close on the heels as my second favorite is "Take me to Heaven" where Sylvesters falsetto is truly magnificent and shines as a true vocalist in his own right.I have to agree with a previous reviewer that "Lovin' Is Really my Game" is dull and long. It doesn't belong here. However, this album meets might "three song" test: If an album has three songs on it that I really like - then it's worth buying. This album has far more than just three really great songs!If you remember dancing the night away to any of Sylvester's songs in the 1970's and 1980's, you'll definitely want to get this CD!"