Released in 1984,
Something's on Your Mind
was the last of three albums that singer/composer
James "D-Train" Williams
and producer/keyboardist/composer
Hubert Eaves III
-- together known as
D Train
-- recorded for
Prelude
. In 1985,
Williams
and
Eaves
left the small New York-based label (which subsequently went out of business) and, although they continued to work together,
signed with
Columbia
as a solo artist in 1986.
isn't quite as essential as
's self-titled debut album of 1982, but it's still impressive. The moody yet funky title song became a major hit, and the duo is equally captivating on funk/dance offerings like
"I'll Do Anything"
"Hustle and Bustle of the City"
(which should have been released as a single). To its credit, the duo isn't afraid to try different things --
"Thank You"
finds
detouring into reggae, while a brief performance of
Carole King
's
"So Far Away"
combines R&B with adult contemporary/soft rock elements.
' keyboards played a prominent role on most of the duo's
recordings, but on
Williams accompanies himself on acoustic guitar. Again, 1982's
is the group's most essential album, but this LP is also rewarding and is well worth having. ~ Alex Henderson