by Alex Henderson
These days, most A&R people at major labels (as opposed to indies) no longer believe in honest-to-God artist development -- if an artist's first album isn't a hit, he/she gets dropped. But back in the '70s, major label A&R people were, as a rule, a lot more patient. They were more likely to view the artist as a long-term investment, which is why three- or four-album contracts weren't uncommon -- labels reasoned that if an artist's first or second album wasn't a hit, the third or fourth just might be. Atlantic Starr is a perfect example of a band that benefited from insightful, smart A&R. In the late '70s, Atlantic Starr was a diamond in the rough that needed to be developed -- thankfully, A&M's A&R department was wise enough (and patient enough) to develop the East Coast outfit. One hears a lot of potential on Atlantic Starr's second album Straight to the Point, which Bobby Eli produced at Philadelphia's legendary Sigma Sound Studios. From the funky single &(Let's) Rock 'N' Roll& to the slick &Let the Sprit Move Ya& (which has a Euro-disco flavor) and the soul ballad &Losin' You,& this 1979 release is a generally decent (if slightly uneven) sophomore effort. But it isn't fantastic or mind-blowing, and not until 1981's Radiance did Atlantic Starr really start to live up to its creative and commercial potential. In 1979, Atlantic Starr was like a student who was getting Bs and Cs on his/her report card but had the potential to bring home a lot of As -- the potential for excellence was there, and thank God A&M helped the band make the transition from decent to excellent. Although not among Atlantic Starr's essential releases, Straight to the Point is an LP that hardcore fans will find interesting.