Love Storm

ディスコ全盛期に一世を風靡した人気兄弟ソウル・グループ、タヴァレス。彼らのキャピトル・レーベル通算5枚目のアルバム、1977年作が待望の世界初CD化!プロデューサーは前作の1976年作『SKY HIGH!』同様にFREDDIE PERREN(ジャクソン・ファイヴ「I Want You Back」ほか多くの名曲を手掛けたプロデューサー集団"THE CORPORATION"の一員であり『サタデーナイト・フィーバー』のサントラも手掛けた名プロデューサー)が担当しており、聴く者全てをハッピーな気分にさせるミディアム・テンポのディスコ・チューン「Whodunit」はUS R&Bシングル・チャートで1位を記録。ほかにもラテン・ディスコ調の「I Wanna See You Soon」といった十八番のアップテンポな曲はもちろん、一点の曇りもない完璧なコーラスで聴く者全てを魅了する「Fool Of The Year」といったバラードの素晴らしさも特筆すべきところです。さらにJESSE BELVIN「Goodnight My Love」やGLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS「The Going Ups & The Coming Downs」のカバーも秀逸で、初めて聴く方はアルバム全体のクオリティの高さにきっと驚くことでしょう。

The Tavares brothers' debut album, Check It Out, established them as soul stars, and when they delivered their fourth album, Sky High!, in 1976, they became disco stars as well -- at least for a few years. The man Tavares has to thank for its popularity in the disco world from 1976-1978 is Freddie Perren, who made sure that Sky High! had both soul appeal and disco appeal. And Perren did the same thing when he produced Tavares' fifth album, Love Storm. Perren brings a fair amount of disco gloss to the major hit "Whodunit" and the Latin-tinged "Watchin' the Woman's Movement," but the 1977 LP also has plenty of unapologetic soul crooning. Those who were initially sold on Tavares because of their romantic ballads and slow jams won't be disappointed by "Keep in Touch," "Out of the Picture," the Blue Magic-like "Fool of the Year," or a heartfelt cover of Jesse Belvin's 1956 doo wop hit "Goodnight, My Love." Also memorable is Tavares' cover of the Jim Weatherly song "The Going ups and the Coming Downs," which Gladys Knight & the Pips had recorded in 1974. Love Storm isn't among Tavares' essential albums, but it's a decent, satisfying effort that the group's hardcore fans will enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson|

The Tavares brothers' debut album, Check It Out, established them as soul stars, and when they delivered their fourth album, Sky High!, in 1976, they became disco stars as well -- at least for a few years. The man Tavares has to thank for its popularity in the disco world from 1976-1978 is Freddie Perren, who made sure that Sky High! had both soul appeal and disco appeal. And Perren did the same thing when he produced Tavares' fifth album, Love Storm. Perren brings a fair amount of disco gloss to the major hit "Whodunit" and the Latin-tinged "Watchin' the Woman's Movement," but the 1977 LP also has plenty of unapologetic soul crooning. Those who were initially sold on Tavares because of their romantic ballads and slow jams won't be disappointed by "Keep in Touch," "Out of the Picture," the Blue Magic-like "Fool of the Year," or a heartfelt cover of Jesse Belvin's 1956 doo wop hit "Goodnight, My Love." Also memorable is Tavares' cover of the Jim Weatherly song "The Going ups and the Coming Downs," which Gladys Knight & the Pips had recorded in 1974. Love Storm isn't among Tavares' essential albums, but it's a decent, satisfying effort that the group's hardcore fans will enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson