by Justin M. Kantor
The outright funkiness of &Give It Up,& the third track on I Wanna Be Loved By You, is reason alone to invest in this 1979 set. A harmonious matrimony of soul, funk, and jazzy elements, the arrangement's in-the-pocket bassline, bright horns, and sneaky key change play perfect companion to Barry's fiery yet earnest vocal. But &Give It Up& is merely one facet of a very versatile set: Other highlights include the carnival-esque &Nobody but You,& which mingles traditional Spanish rhythms with pop chords; the rocker &Cold Fire&; and the straightforward disco chomper &(Boogie Woogie) Dancing Shoes,& a coolly catchy tune that remains the singer's biggest international hit. A close second to Made in Hong Kong, this album is only missing the quirkiness and spontaneity of the former; otherwise, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable listen for dancing or pleasure -- minus the lack of depth that appeared in many other disco records of the time.