by Ron Wynn
The Manhattans tried to return to the soul form of past years with this mid-'80s release. It contained songs written and produced by the great Bobby Womack and less pop/crossover arrangements and influences. Gerald Alston was preparing to leave the group, but still sang with his customary warmth and style. But the person who made the most impact on this album was new co-vocalist Regina Belle. She became an urban contemporary star in the Anita Baker/Dianne Reeves quasi-jazz vein, but on this album she was singing with more soul and less polish. Belle toured with the band that year and turned a lot of heads. It didn't do as well as some past Columbia efforts, but was a worthy final project for Alston.