Utopia: Expanded Edition

Enchantment's previous albums contained some lush string and horn arrangements; this LP however, offers the superior technology of the Fairlight synthesizer. Nothing is as authentic as a natural instrument, but the Fairlight comes strikingly close. Utopia features some outstanding ballads and bonafide club tracks, though its only charted release was "Don't Fight the Feeling"; with a relaxing rhythm arrangement and percussive undertones, Joe "Jobie" Thomas lays down a compassionate lead around soothing background vocals. "I'm Dreaming" is a beautifully written composition in which Emanuel "E.J." Johnson gracefully eases into the lyrics, interjecting his legato styling and hair-raising tenor into a melodious number. Johnson gives an encore performance on "Love Struck"; with all his gifted vocal tools, his innovative approach to each verse is admirable. On an upbeat note, "Somebody's Loving You" and "Get It While It's Hot" both fit the bill. The former has a straight-ahead rhythm with a steady, pulsating bassline highlighted by Johnson's benevolent vocals, while the latter has more of an impatient rhythm in which Johnson's urgent appeal rings out through each lyric. The other selections are just as credible. Unfortunately, this album was not promoted by Columbia, and as a result some classic R&B recordings were not given an opportunity to carve out their place in music history. ~ Craig Lytle|