Dream On

On his R&B-oriented records of the late '70s, often shared the lead vocals with such band members as , , and , but none of them are employed on 1982's , which finds him handling most of the lead vocals himself. And that isn't a bad thing, because is a soulful and charismatic singer -- there is no reason why he shouldn't hog the microphone on his own albums. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a lot of first-rate material to work with on this competent, if uneven and unfocused, LP. isn't a bad album; sleek R&B ballads like and are pleasant, but they aren't remarkable, and while simmers, it never burns and never explodes. Even -- a sequel to 's 1977 smash -- isn't all that exciting. The best thing on the record is a remake of the mellow soul ballad which he had previously recorded for 1975's . Again, isn't a disaster, but it isn't one of 's more impressive albums either. This LP is strictly for completists. ~ Alex Henderson