200 RECOMMENDED ALBUMS. Today: #79. More next week.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#79

DONNA SUMMER: DONNA SUMMER

 

 [1982] 

Donna Summer's Geffen label debut was 1980's 'The Wanderer'. It marked a shift in musical direction, positioning the artist in the new decade. Its sales disappointed label head David Geffen.  Follow up album 'She's A Rainbow' was ready to go, with Giorgio Moroder at the helm as usual. Geffen decided to shelve the project. He opted instead to team Summer up with hot producer Quincy Jones. Q had just enjoyed a recording triumph with Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' album and was in demand. With disco no longer a popular genre, Jones steered Summer further away from dance and deeper into R&B. This was a wise decision. It also served as another opportunity to let Summer display her range and versatility. 'Donna Summer' has its filler ("Livin' In America"), and so-so tracks ("Love Is Just A Breath Away" and "If It Hurts Just A Little"); but there are many reasons to explore this album. Summer rocks out on a track penned by Bruce Springsteen entitled "Protection" (which features a guitar solo from the Boss). She tackles jazz on "Lush Life". Jones draws out her best R&B performances on the hit single "Love Is In Control" and tracks "Mystery Of Love" and "The Woman In Me". The producer assembled the best session musicians and vocalists for the album, including James Ingram, members of Toto, Greg Phillinganes, Jerry Hey, Paulinho da Costa, Michael Sembello and Louis Johnson. Also on board as a songwriter is Rod Temperton (with whom Jones had worked on 'Off The Wall'). The remake of the Jon Anderson & Vangelis song "State Of Independence" is brilliant, featuring a choir which included legends such as Michael Jackson, Jones himself, Michael McDonald, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder. This track inspired the all star cast recording "We Are The World", also produced by Q.

Highlight tracks: Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger); State Of Independence & Protection.