Search - Bar-Kays :: Nightcruising

Hardcore new wave-oriented funk

08/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the late 70s to mid-70s, The Bar-Kays found their hit-making groove and "Nightcrusing" doesn't disappoint. The lead single "Hit and Run" and "Traffic Jammer" are great examples of mixing the new wave-inspired keyboard riffs with slick funk; these two are arguably among my favorite songs by the band. Both songs by themselves are nearly worth purchasing the long-time-coming album.



If you can keep in mind this was an early '80s album and stomach some of the period sounds, "Nightcruising" is above in that remark. "Touch Tone" is definitely a punk rock-inspired tune that sounds familiar to similar such songs that came out that period. The title track and "Freaky Behavior" sound like something inspired by Rick James (whose punk-funk style was dominant), which is not surprising given The Bar-Kays' history of mimicking the hot styles of the period.



For a hardcore funk band, The Bar-Kays are better than expected on the ballads. "Feels Like I'm Falling in Love" is more of the sound expected from the band and "Unforgettable Dream" reminds me of The Commodores' "Easy" with its Southern-drenched chords and Larry Dodson's singing. Overall, if you're a fan of The Bar-Kays' brand of funk then is worth buying."

Timeless

Turner | UK | 09/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bar Kays have been around for some time and this is the music I grew up listening and bopping to. I had been after the track "Unforgettable Dream" for ages and was glad to stumble on this classic cd. If you consider this is over 20 years old then perhaps you begin to get an idea of the quality of yesteryear artists whose music is still en vogue some 20yrs after their "time". Buy it and see what I mean. You wont be disappointed."

The record label's name says it all

Terrence D. Hillman | Colorado, USA | 03/01/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album growing up, and it's like having it on vinyl because that's where it's recording source is from! My rating is not for the album itself, but for this CD edition of it. It starts out great for the first few songs, but you know how vinyl can get near the end. A lot of it sound, well, not so good. Thank God Universal Japan has come to their senses and are releasing an official remastered version of this same album in March (not too far from this review!) Vinyl Masterpiece, thanks for making such a crappy version and catching the attention of the real label for their official releases, but I will no longer be buying anything from PTG, or whatever you put out until you can guarantee that your releases are taken from the official master tapes and not vinyl! Also on the way is Starpoint's second and third albums on UNI Japan - I can't wait!



A rough translation to Dutch record label:



Ik hou van dit album opgroeien, en het is alsof ze op vinyl want dat is waar het de opname bron is uit! Mijn beoordeling is niet voor het album zelf, maar voor deze cd-uitgave van. Het begint goed voor de eerste paar nummers, maar je weet hoe vinyl kan krijgen in de buurt van het einde. Veel van het geluid, wel, niet zo goed. Godzijdank Universal Japan is gekomen om hun zintuigen en het vrijgeven van een officiële remastered versie van dit album in maart (niet te ver van deze recensie!) Vinyl Masterpiece, bedankt voor het maken van een dergelijke crappy versie en vangen de aandacht van het echte label voor hun officiële persberichten, maar ik zal niet langer kopen iets van PTG, of wat je uit totdat je kunt garanderen dat uw persberichten zijn overgenomen uit de officiële master tapes en niet vinyl! Ook op de weg Starpoint de tweede en derde albums op UNI Japan - Ik kan niet wachten!"