Search - Sylvester :: Mutual Attraction

Burning it up - right to the end

R. J. Marques | Scottsdale, AZ United States | 07/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a little shocked to read the All Music Guide review of this album, wherein they described Sylvester's performance as "wooden" and "sounding like a shell of himself". Whoever wrote that review, never put this disc into a CD player. Syl SOARS on Mutual Attraction. Back are old favorites, Ken Kessie and Morey Goldstein producing and Tip Wirrick on guitars. His Manager, Tim McKenna of Borzoi Music Artists struck a distribution deal for Syl and Megatone with Warner Brothers, and Syl was back in the majors for this album. While this album doesn't approach the Dance/HiNRG/Eurodisco sound of his best for Megatone; i.e. "All I Need", "Call Me" and "M-1015", the production is impeccable and Syl's vocals are in GREAT form. There is also quite a few styles covered on this CD. His version of Stevie Wonder's 'Living For The City' is a gospel-flavored tour de force. His remake of 'Summertime' is also amazing. The dance cuts are 'Someone Like You', 'Sooner or Later' and 'Talk To Me'. The title song is great laid back kind of dance tune. And the jazzy 'In The Cool of the Evening' is a sultry, smoky treat. While the US version of this album came with an extended remix of 'Mutual Attraction', the import does not. No great loss, this album stands up on its original merits and doesn't really require bonus cuts. Syl was also working on the follow-up to this album when he succumbed to AIDS. Three cuts were able to be salvaged from those sessions, and can be found on the Megatone release "Immortal", but they don't quite stack up to what you'll hear on this disc. I mourned his passing for quite some time. Whenever I hear Sylvester's unearthly wail on a radio or in a club - all I can think of is friends and fun and good times and Syl will always represent that for me. It is my opinion that Sylvester never attained the true fame he deserved but he left us with a brave, rich legacy of music that knew few boundaries for people to continue to discover. This was his gift. Rest in Peace Syl and thanks for the great music and all the memories.

"

Sylvester's last studio CD

steven mccants | New York NY | 08/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mutual Attraction is Sylvester's final CD that has all orginal recordings. Starting with the infectious "Someone like you" which was a major hit in the U.S. (Top 20) you have a sense that Sylvester wanted to make a statement. Also with the Stevie Wonder remake, the gospel tinged " Living for the city", the Porgie & Bess remake "Summertime" and the title cut "Mutual Attraction" this CD describes Sylvester as the artist he was. Featured on the CD is the dance track "Sooner or later" and the beautiful final song "Anything can happen" this CD is by far on my list of favorite CD's by an artist. Trust, this list is very long!



If you want to hear the first openly gay artist as his best this is one of many CD's by the Legendary SYLVESTER.



A must have, buy it trust you'll like it!!!

"

Sylvester's "final" album lives up to his legacy

G. Mitchell | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While some find Sylvester "final" CD a bit bland compared to his earlier underground disco/dance roots, I think it's chock full of vital performances: "Someone Like You" (especially the remixed version on 12") is a great 80s dance anthem, his remakes of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" and Gershwin's "Summertime" are drenched in soul, but the peak here is the call & response proto-house track, "SOONER OR LATER" - featuring sizzlin' gospel back-up my MARTHA WASH & others, and really rockin' the house - it deserved to be a hit, but alas wasn't - I don't think Warners really knew how to "market" someone who could not (and would not) be pigeonholed like Sylvester - as AIDS tooks its toll in the late 80s when this album first dropped (1987 I think?), America just couldn't deal with a say-it-loud & proud black drag queen. FIERCE! And pick up "Fabulous Sylvester," the engrossing, fascinating bio of the biggest drag star in history, well, save for Ru Paul?"