Rick James
fans generally agree that 1981's
Street Songs
is his finest album -- in fact,
is essential listening for anyone with even a casual interest in hardcore
funk
. Unfortunately,
James
tried to recycle the album's formula on many of his subsequent albums, and by the mid-'80s, he had become a very predictable and redundant caricature of himself. But in 1982,
was still exciting. That year's
Throwin' Down
, the album that followed
, falls short of essential but is still rewarding. Many of the songs are excellent, including the cynical
"Money Talks"
and the major hits
"Standing on the Top"
(which features
the Temptations
) and
"Dance Wit' Me."
Not surprisingly, hardcore
dominates the record, although
contains a few pleasing
soul
ballads
as well.
"Happy,"
a duet with
Teena Marie
, and
"Teardrops"
point to the fact that
can be a very expressive
ballad
singer even though he is best known for his up-tempo material. This album does sound like recycled
at times, but in 1982,
had yet to run the formula into the ground. All things considered,
was an enjoyable, if imperfect and slightly uneven, addition to the funkster's catalog. ~ Alex Henderson