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Way Out (80-84)
Barnes and Noble
Way Out (80-84)
Current price: $17.99
Barnes and Noble
Way Out (80-84)
Current price: $17.99
Size: OS
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The first half of
consists of highlights from funk great
's two albums with his
, released on
in 1983 and 1984, after he left
. Perhaps due to licensing or budget restrictions, the set doesn't cover the drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer's two
albums made without
, which were released in 1985 and 1986; the Top 20 "Feel So Real" and the Top 10 "Dancin' in the Key of Life," at the very least, should be sought by anyone with the slightest interest in obtaining
's best output. This portion does include all the gems from
and
-- frisky, rousing jams like "Way Out," "Weak at the Knees," and "Nobody Can Be You." Some of the songs were sampled for popular rap recordings, but the connections needn't be noted for
's sake. Eternal funk classics don't need legitimization. The second half of
features both sides of "Summertime Lovin',"
's 1980 12" single for
. Released the same year as
's excellent
, these inclusions involve support from
's bandmates, from
' unmistakable bass to
's sparkling backing vocals. The remaining eight cuts, all previously unreleased, are a mix of songs "deemed too progressive" by
and other
-era cuts that were completed by
and a later lineup for this set. The stand-out is "Without Your Love," presumably an all-new recording, that resembles a synthesis of "Weak at the Knees" and early-'80s
. "Funk and Roll Junky," "Crazy About You," "Why," and "Mysterious Woman" all have the hard, driving rhythms and invigorating spirit of
's decades-old hits. Unfortunately, the accompanying booklet offers only a basic list of credits. Those who want to learn more about
should look for an archived lecture facilitated by Red Bull Music Academy in 2013. ~ Andy Kellman