Soul Express Album Review

ATLANTIC STARR:
Radiant
Dutch Vinyl Masterpiece / A&M, 1980 / 2007
1) When Love Calls 2) Does It Matter 3) Think About That 4) Send For Me 5) Mystery Girl 6) Am I Dreaming 7) Under Pressure 8) My Turn Now

I am glad that someone is willing to release classic albums such as this from the 1980s. Why A&M themselves have not bothered is something beyond me. I consider Atlantic Starr to be one of the most underrated groups that you could possibly find. The quality of their writing, performance and longevity is to quote one of their best songs, second to none. You cannot really go wrong with any Atlantic Starr album.

1980 was a classic year for soul music, and “Radiant” reflects that in no small measure. The band were able to churn out classy dance numbers as well as tasty ballads – no mean feat – and many songs still resonate today. Popular cuts abouind on here, but it sgreat to hear the original versions of the Sam Dees penned “Send For Me” and “Am I Dreaming” in all their glory. Gerald Alston recorded a killer version of “Send For Me” on his 1992 set “Always In The Mood” and compliments and updates this original version nicely. Sadly this album is remastered from vinyl (why not from the masters I have no idea) so this song suffers as far as sybillance is concerned. Being the last track on side one, we should expect this I suppose. “Am I Dreaming” is a classic by any standard and the recent version recorded by Dennis Taylor and Wincey Terry did more than justice to this version.

What shines through is the wonderful vocal skills of Sharon Bryant. I really wish that we heard more of this lovely Lady. Please check out her 1989 solo set, “Here I Am”, for Wing / Mercury if you don't already have that on CD or LP. The dancers still sound fresh and the remastering of “When Love Calls” is excellent. This is classy 80s boogie soul music at its very best.

An essential purchase as always from this Dutch label – though I wish they would use the proper master tapes.  Quality music deserves no less. -Barry Towler