1980 and 1981 were
Sylvia Striplin
's biggest years. Fresh from her brief but crucial role in
Norman Connors
'
Aquarian Dream
, another essential figure in the
jazz-funk
phenomenon,
Roy Ayers
, provided multiple outlets for the sweet-voiced singer. Shortly after
Striplin
released an album with
Ayers
Eighties Ladies
' project, she broke out with a solo album. Both of these releases were issued on
Uno Melodic
label, and while they didn't reach full-blown crossover status on the
R&B
charts, they eventually became rare groove favorites.
, assisted by
James Bedford
, produced and arranged this affair, but
truly is the star; her voice is neither booming nor wailing, maintaining a youthful but powerful sweetness throughout eight songs that stick to sophisticated
constructs. Not a single track is weak, but a few stand out: the slinky, oft-sampled
"You Can't Turn Me Away"
(its squelching effects should be familiar to any hip-hop fan) shows
at her most sultry.
"Give Me Your Love"
is an irresistible up-tempo number full of drive and punch, while the low-key and feather-light
"All Alone"
benefits from subtle string arrangements. One who is into
and/or polished early-'80s R&B cannot afford to overlook this. ~ Andy Kellman