Search - Sylvester :: Sell My Soul//Too Hot to Sleep

Sylvester At His Peak

disco75 | State College, PA United States | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sylvester's third through sixth albums showed him at the top of his game. These lp's not only contained some fantastic songs but were superb albums in concept and execution. The two on this set were his fifth and sixth releases. After flirting with disco in his first two albums, he had given himself over completely to the genre in his third album (unfortunately unavailable on CD), and was attempting to expand once again his focus with a live album and then these two records. They were released when the backlash against disco was rising to bitter levels, and Sylvester, black, gay, in drag, and larger than life, probably personified everything the rocking Middle Americans resented about dance music. He was probably aware that he needed to diversify if not shift his artistic focus, associated as he was with disco.The Sell My Soul album still contained plenty of dance tracks. "I Need You" was a flat-out disco song; "Sell My Soul," ironically, was highly gospel in its vocal stylings and dramatic in arrangement. The blistering cover of "Fever" showcased Sylvester and his backup singers at their most ecstatic. Like the cover of "I (Who Have Nothing)" on the previous album, it infused drama and propulsion in high doses into dance music and was at times so searing the lyrics were incomprehensible. But the album also contained other music. The sensuous "Change Up" took a laid-back rhythm. "My Life Is Loving You" has to be one of the most tender, gorgeous ballads recorded.By the time of his sixth album Too Hot To Sleep, Sylvester seemed to desire a distance from disco. This was largely an R&B oriented affair, and it succeeded spectacularly. The tracks seemed radio friendly, although no signficant hits were spawned from the lp. The sultry title track, the effervescent "Can't You See," the slick "Thinking Right," and the warm ballad "Can't Forget The Love" all sounded like something out of Motown. "Here is My Love" was a very sexy duet in which Sylvester assumed the persona of a straight lover. The only dance track, "Give It Up," had jazzy inflections and was largely an instrumental. As a set, this CD is essential for any fan of Sylvester, disco, soul, or gay-oriented music."

Get to know sylvester james

KEITH BLAIR BEE | TEMPE, AZ United States | 05/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two very rare Sylvester albums. Trust, they're hard to find on LP or CD in most stores. Sylvester (born Sylvester James) was so unique and so talented that I can honestly say NOBODY even comes close to his wonderful style. Usually known for
his falsetto vocals, most people haven't heard the other side of
Sylvester found on the TOO HOT TO SLEEP portion of this CD.It's
very sexy no doubt! If you've followed Sly from his Fantasy Records days to Megatone to Warner Bros.then you know how diverse this man can be. A true artist that is missed by his many many fans still out there!"