Masterpiece Vol.8 - The Ultimate Disco Funk Collection

This is too short on knockouts to stand among the most recommendable volumes in the Masterpiece series, but just about every selection is noteworthy to some degree. These 13 tracks span 1983-1987 and thus fall into that unnamed era between post-disco's gold 1980-1982 run and the dawn of new jack swing. "Takes Me Higher" (1987), from sophisticated male quartet Shabazz, points toward new jack swing while resembling a Whispers, Jr.; it was produced and written by the Bomb Squad's Eric "Vietnam" Sadler. Intrigue's "Fly Girl" (1984), one of the lesser-known Leroy Burgess/Sonny Davenport productions -- compared to Rick James' "Big Time," at least -- is in a similar vein, richly melodic and uplifting, done on a smaller budget. Lovers of the early-'80s R&B club classics "You're the One for Me" and "Keep On" should check Glenn Jones' "Love Intensity" (1983), written and co-produced by Hubert Eaves of D Train, though it simmers instead of boils. Raven's "So in Love" (1984), helmed by Burgess/Davenport associate Stan Lucas, features disco session queen Jocelyn Brown on lead vocals. Four deep cuts from the Sugar Hill and Salsoul labels are also included, and so is the most dazzling cut off Fonzi Thornton's first album, on which you can hear some of Kashif's brisk, unmistakable drum and synthesizer work. ~ Andy Kellman|

This is too short on knockouts to stand among the most recommendable volumes in the Masterpiece series, but just about every selection is noteworthy to some degree. These 13 tracks span 1983-1987 and thus fall into that unnamed era between post-disco’s gold 1980-1982 run and the dawn of new jack swing. “Takes Me Higher” (1987), from sophisticated male quartet Shabazz, points toward new jack swing while resembling a Whispers, Jr.; it was produced and written by the Bomb Squad's Eric “Vietnam” Sadler. Intrigue’s “Fly Girl” (1984), one of the lesser-known Leroy Burgess/Sonny Davenport productions -- compared to Rick James' “Big Time,” at least -- is in a similar vein, richly melodic and uplifting, done on a smaller budget. Lovers of the early-'80s R&B club classics “You’re the One for Me” and “Keep On” should check Glenn Jones' “Love Intensity” (1983), written and co-produced by Hubert Eaves of D Train, though it simmers instead of boils. Raven’s “So in Love” (1984), helmed by Burgess/Davenport associate Stan Lucas, features disco session queen Jocelyn Brown on lead vocals. Four deep cuts from the Sugar Hill and Salsoul labels are also included, and so is the most dazzling cut off Fonzi Thornton's first album, on which you can hear some of Kashif’s brisk, unmistakable drum and synthesizer work. ~ Andy Kellman