ALBUM REVIEWS

BURNIN' SKY - Bad Company - Swan Song/Atlantic SS ELECTRIFIED FUNK - Wild Cherry - Epic PE 34462 - 8500 - Producer: Bad Company - List: 7.98 ideliProducer: Bob Parissi - List: 6.98 When you've had three million -selling albums in a row, the One of the best disco bands around, Wild Cherry is back with temptation is to put out the same kind of material to keep the a red-hot contender for expanded airplay and a prime catalyst registers ringing. But Bad Company resists that urge on this for the national breakout of boogie fever. Of the ten selections, more disciplined album, half of which is an exploration into only two are hold -me -close, slow -dancing tunes, the rest being some previously unexplored musical territory - hard to classify a energetic collection of numbers that are impossible not to but pleasing to hear. But they still rock with gusto. For top 40 move to unless you're catatonic. For top 40, disco and some and AOR. AOR playlists.

HEAVY WEATHER Weather Report Columbia PC 34418 ISLANDS The Band Capitol SO -11602 Producer: The - - - - - List: 6.98 Band List: 6.98 - Producer: Zawinul - - jazz artists as George Benson has The combination of various and diverse musical elements The pop success of such helped pave the way for wider acceptance and understanding has always been a trademark of The Band who can manage to Though the majority sound fresh without losing their particular sound identity. Once of this musical art form by the uninitiated. of the material here is free -form and progressive and possibly again surprises are in store, especially on their new arrange- inaccessible to the novitiate, there are several melodic cuts, es- ment of "Ain't That A Lot Of Love," and on what amounts to a pecially "Birdland" which could receive extensive airplay. For Ray Charles tribute on "Georgia On My Mind." Distinctive and representative music from the always exemplary Band. For top AOR, R&B and jazz playlists. 40 and AOR playlists. A HANDFUL OF BEAUTY - Shakti with John McLaughlin - Columbia PC 34372 Producer: John McLaughlin List: GETTIN' LUCKY Head East A&M SP -4624 Producer: - - - - - 6.98 Richard Podolor List: 6.98 - The strings are excellent and the drumbeats lively on this Their strong midwestern success has yet to be matched fresh offering of East meets West music by guitar virtuoso John nationally, but the latest effort by this band of talented St. Louis McLaughlin. Expanding a field once the near -exclusive domain musicians might be the one to raise the national consciousness. of Ravi Shankar, McLaughlin has mixed well the elements of They feature pleasing harmonies, a strong lead vocal combina- western electronic wizardry with the centuries -old rhythms of tion in band members Steve Houston and John Schlitt, and ex- our mysterious eastern neighbors. For jazz and AOR playlists. cellent keyboard work by Roger Boyd. For AOR and top 40 playlists. ANYTIME ... ANYWHERE - Rita Coolidge - A&M SP -4616 - Producer: David Anderle - List: 6.98 FROM ME TO YOU - George Duke - Epic PE 34469 - There is not a single track on this LP that has not been done Producer: George Duke - List: 6.98 by another artist but, if the melodies are familiar, not so the fresh His past associations with Billy Cobham, Cannonball Ad- arrangements that allow Rita's clean and powerful voice to re- derly, Don Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Zappa, et. al., have interpret the familiar in a new and pleasing way. From the coun- given George Duke a wide realm of musical experiences to try twang of "I Don't Want to Talk About it" to the Boz Scagg's draw from. It is no surprise then, that on his first Epic release he tune, "We're All Alone," Rita pays homage to a variety of styles exhibits his familiarity with and ability to perform R&B, rock and and a number of composers. For top 40, AOR and MOR jazz material with equal aplomb. For R&B, jazz and AOR playlists. playlists. STRATOSFEAR - Tangerine Dream - Virgin/CBS PZ 34427 ENCHANTMENT - Enchantment - United Artists LA -682G - Producer: Tangerine Dream - List: 6.98 - Producer: Michael Stokes - List: 6.98 Despite the much over -worked term, Tangerine Dream is Though their stage show features the'kind of magic required truly a unique German rock band, that most closely resembles to pull top hats & canes out of thin air, Enchantment does their Pink Floyd but has a distinct musical character that expands the best magic on the dance floor, defying anyone present to stay electronic sound genre to new frontiers. The subtle audio ele- still while their tunes are playing. With exquisite four part har- ments that make up the futuristic sound will be complemented monies and a solid instrumental background, this Detroit quin- by a live laser light show when the band tours the U.S. For AOR tet deliver hot disco and Sunday afternoon R&B with consum- playlists.

FROM A RADIO ENGINE TO THE PHOTON WING - Michael FOREIGNER - Foreigner - Atlantic SD 18215 - Producers: Nesmith - Pacific Arts/Island ILPA 9486 - Producer: John Sinclair, Garry Lyons, Mick Jones & Ian McDonald - List: Michael Nesmith - List: 6.98 6.98 Combining a progressive country sound with a funky Latin Led by ex -Spooky Tooth lead singer and guitarist Mick ambience is what Nesmith has done on this delightful new offer- Jones, Foreigner is a band that, on their first shot, has an es- ing. The talented singer/composer has come an incredible dis- tablished sound and an obvious familiarity with rock tance since his Monkee days and this latest solo effort reflects somewhere between Queen and Bad Company. Featuring the confidence and experience he has gained from a rich and powerful vocals and disciplined instrumental support, this is a varied musical history. Mostly for AOR playlists. band you're sure to hear more of. For top 40 and AOR playlists. GINSENG WOMAN - Eric Gale - Columbia PC 34421 - Producer: Bob James List: 6.98 CONQUISTADOR Maynard Ferguson Columbia PC - - - Superb session man Eric Gale invited quite a cast to his 34457 Producer: Jay Chattaway List: 6.98 - - coming-out party and the result is an impressive debut solo ef- With an impressive guest list of jazz musicians, Ferguson has fort for Columbia. With Bob James producing a troupe of 28 put together a solid album of brassy jazz-rock tunes that should musicians and singers, Gale has a chance to vividly display his win over even more converts to the jazz movement, as jazz pop -flavored, rock -leaning jazz guitar. A shortened "Sara makes even stronger inroads onto pop playlists. Though there Smile" could be a top 40 heavyweight, but a solid album for jazz, are some progressive movements, the emphasis is on pop - R&B and AOR playlists. oriented material, a factor that should ensure extensive airplay on AOR and jazz playlists. - ,Rr- ; t 1i' t t 1: T. "; 1!. THUNDERBYRD - Roger McGuinn - Columbia PC 34656 - Producer: Don DeVito - List: 6.98 THE TAJ MAHAL ANTHOLOGY - Volume I - Taj Mahal - Having collected around him a talented band of musicians Columbia PC 34466 - Producer: David Rubinson - List: 6.98 with a broad range of experience in several diverse groups, From the years 1966-71, this album captures the best of Taj McGuinn appears relaxed and confident on this fine LP, Mahal's early days. It's an outstanding collection of rock - produced by Don DeVito who produced Bob Dylan's latest two flavored blues and folk numbers performed in the distinctive albums. There is standard rock and roll, progressive country style of the inimitable Taj, playing and singing his unique inter- and a few mellow tunes all delivered with that distinctive pretations of songs that have since become classics. For AOR McGuinn voice. For AOR, top 40 and some C&W playlists. and top 40 playlists, although some cuts could go C&W. MOLKIE COLE - Molkie Cole - Janus JXS 7031 - Producer: SOMETIMES - Facts of Life - Kayvette/TK 802 - Producer: James M. Testa - List: 6.98 Millie Jackson - List: 6.98 Unlike some novelty bands, Molkie Cole has a sound that is Because they used to go under the name The Gospel Truth, instantly accessible because their humor is delivered on the some people thought that this was a religious singing group but wings of uncomplicated rock riffs. A talented quintet from several of their more suggestive cuts effectively dispel that no- Cleveland, this is their debut effort and once they take their an- tion. This talented R&B trio specializes in soulfully shared tics on the national road, the band should achieve wider vocals and unobtrusive musical arrangements that give the recognition and increased sales. Selections are for top 40 and spotliaht to the singers. For R&B and top 40 playlists. AOR playlists.

14 Cash Box/March 19, 1977

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