And Once Again: Expanded Edition

Hayes' late-'70s to early-'80s work with Polydor often gets forgotten, but even at its most mediocre, he changed with the times and it no doubt outstripped his last efforts for ABC. The success of 1978's Don't Let Go seemed to make the proceedings of this album more relaxed and confident. The ballads typify And Once Again more than anything else. Throughout most of the slow tracks here Hayes seems to be trying to attain a more thoughtful approach and seems to be reminiscent of his Black Moses era. His cover of "It's All in the Game" is slowed down a little bit and he gives a surprisingly impassioned vocal and an updated and deft arrangement. The entertaining "Ike's Rap VIII" has a glorious string arrangement and flows into a good cover of Angie Bofill's 1978 classic "This Time I'll Be Sweeter." Another ballad, "Wherever You Are" has an atmospheric and haunting melody that made up for the wobbly lyrics. The dance tracks here aren't great. Both "I Ain't Never" and "Love Has Been Good to Us" had rhythms and production values that were on the way out by the time this hit the shelves. Hayes seemed to give his best dance material for a production job with Linda Clifford. This effort didn't have an especially long chart run and was a chart disappointment in contrast to Don't Let Go. Although there is nothing groundbreaking here, the sound arrangements and Hayes' vocals make this more than worthwhile. ~ Jason Elias|