This is the first post in what is to become a series (no, not two years between posts) of postings of not-necessarily-rare but definitely out-of-print and relatively obscure vinyl. Today, it’s the solo debut from Ray Parker Jr, a long-time session musician/songwriter, frontman from ’70s funk group Raydio, and best known for the mega-hit theme from the 1984 film Ghostbusters.
Most of the tracks are standard early ’80s R&B, with a little more rock flavor than usual for 1982. I guess Ray was just ahead of his time as it sounds more like late ’80s/early ’90s pop to me. With that said, there is some good stuff there that still holds up well. For my money, the hot track on this one is “Let’s Get Off.” Superb ’80s synth funk at its best. For what it’s worth, the lyrics aren’t bashful either. Even a nod to Behind the Green Door. Nice!
The three singles from this record, “The Other Woman,” “Let Me Go,” and “It’s Our Own Affair” all charted, with the title track going number 4 in the top 100 and number 2 R&B. In any case, there are plenty of nice synth-pop hooks to be had throughout (oh how many things I could sample from the instrumental “Just Havin’ Fun”), and plenty of ’80s nostalgia factor to go around. All in all, worth the 96¢ I paid for it. Here’s a few highlights:
Let’s Get Off
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Just Havin’ Fun
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tracklisting:
- The Other Woman
- Stay The Night
- It’s Our Own Affair
- Let’s Get Off
- Streetlove
- Let Me Go
- Stop, Look Before You Love
- Just Havin’ Fun