Search - Deodato :: Love Island

Starting To Slip

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 03/30/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It probably depends on where you came aboard as a fan of Eumir Deodato as to how you view his post mid-70s work. I came aboard with Deodato 2 to which I was introduced by a friend heavily into jazz. I had ignored his music previously because I found the 2001 Space Odyssey theme played to death on the radio to be too commercial for my taste. But after hearing Deodato 2 in the mid-70s, I sought out other Deodato recordings new and old.

I bought Love Island back when it was first issued and although there were some very nice pieces on it, I felt even then as I do now that it marks the point where Deodato is starting to slip into the pit of shamelessly pandering musical twaddle that Night Cruiser and Knights of Fantasy exemplify. Exhibit A is the execrable Whistle Bump which is brutally reminiscent of that awful disco song, The Hustle.

So what do I like about Love Island? Well, to start there is the opening cut Area Code 808 which, while redolent of disco/funk, contains some excellent guitar work by Larry Carlton and George Parrish Jr. Then there is the title cut that while oh so smooth and dreamy, contains some memorable passages that feature George Benson and Larry Carlton. Chariot of the Gods is also an excellent piece which features John Tropea, a frequent Deodato sideman, on guitar. Then I just can't help but love the arrangement and the excellent cover of the classic Take The "A" Train.

If you are a long-time Deodato buff, you will notice that while Whistle Bump points to Deodato's future as a David Hasselhoff wannabe (look at the album cover of Night Rider), that Pina Colada nods to some of the funk/fusion that he sometimes indulged in earlier years.

So I view Love Island as a watershed album. The disco outings begin to chase off old fans yet they bring a new set of fans on board. So if you are new to Deodato and your tastes lean toward jazz, get this yes but stay away from his later work. In fact, I recommend you go all the way back to his work that was issued in Brazil before anyone here in the States knew who he was! But, if you prefer the fusion/funk style, then get this and maybe a couple of his earlier US issues but definitely go for more of his post-Love Island work.

By my comments, the reader knows which way I lean. I would give Love Island 3 and 1/2 stars if possible, but since its not and doesn't deserve 4 stars, I will have to tag it with three. Its good, but certainly not essential."

Enduring Quality from Maestro Eumir Deodato

Papetti | Mexico City | 02/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album originally issued in 1978 (31 years ago) doesn't sound too dated and it has very interesting points here and there.

Somebody reviewed that Eumir started to slip after this release (what?) after this one he recorded 4 more albums back to back that hit both markets: Jazz and Disco-Funk with a hammer: (Knights of Fantasy - Night Cruiser - Happy Hour and Motion) besides this particular album had hits on both categories; for Jazz you have (Tahiti Hut - San Juan Sunset & Take the A Train) and for Disco-Funk (Area Code 808 & Whistle Bump).

Anyway, as customery, check Eumir's distinguished list of guests for this

jewel:

- Eumir Deodato / Keyboards, Synthesisers, Vocals, Percussions, Compositions, Arrangements

- Larry Carlton / Acoustic & Electric Guitars

- John Tropea / Guitars

- George Benson / Guitars

- Victor Feldman / Percussions

- Erica Norimar / Vocals

- Phillip Bailey / Percussions, Flute, Horns

- Al McKay / Guitars

- Verdine White / Bass

- Harvey Mason / Drums

and many more.................



Very recommedable if you collect Deodato's music, all that Jazz-Funk with his right dash of Brazilian spices."