Customer Reviews

After Dark

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's a very good reason used copies of this CD sell for as much as they do. This album grabs you and never lets go. I first heard of this album when I happened to run across Ray Parker doing a late night gig as a guest DJ on a local radio station. He was going through the cuts on this album and I was hooked immediately, especially after hearing the track, "After Midnight". I went searching for a copy and ended up spending $50 for a used one on eBay. It was the only one I could find. It's the most I have EVER spent for a CD. But, I never tire of listening to this album, and have never regretted letting go of that much green for it. It smooth, cool, playful at times and oh so very sensual. It's great background music for a quiet evening alone with your significant other.

I can honestly say that I have never been the biggest Pay Parker jr fan. Sure I have heard( who didn't in the 1980's) the Ghostbusters theme song that propelled him into International fame, but even from his Radiyo days( which I was a bit young to remember first time round)The this LP, released in 1987 resonated with me. Firstly, I had read an interview he gave, for Blues & Soul magazine, in support of this CD, and I was in intrigued to hear it. Also the first single of this 'I don't think that Man Should sleep alone' I quite enjoyed, and it entered into the top twenty charts here in the UK.
Onto the LP itself, the first thing that comes to mind is that women, Sex & relationships are the order of play for this release. Going through the tracks, I'm not so hot on the duet with Natalie Cole 'Over you, or 'The Past' which are the attempted 'Quiet Storm' moments on the LP. Better moments arrive on' Nature Dance' which, whilst leaving nothing to the imagination, is a real up-tempo cut, with a great vocal moment. But my favorite moment is the instrumental cut 'After Midnight'. Pure Bliss. To this day I would buy this on CD for just that cut.

FINALLY.I AHVE IT ON CD. This is the ultimate for any cd collector or 80's music enthusiast. This cd album brings alot of memories in my college days. We never did have cd's here in South Africa so you can be rest assured i have paid a fortune for this original 1987 USA print (immaculate condition). I feel that this is the best cd ever came out. All tracks are excellent. Its a pity that the USA dont give hoim the exposure and the credit he deserves. All of his older albums are available from Japan on reissue, but not After Dark. This is a real gem and in time will be a rare cd to find. This pricy cd is well worth every cent.
GO GET YOUR COPY. THERE IS NO BETTER CD TO LISTEN, WHEN YOUR ON A DATE. IT SAYS IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes and again another top album from Ray Parker Jr guys girls your mama's going to even love this one my mum and dad were getin down with no time to loose and that was the first track I didn't stick around for the next track knowing between them was going to be a love attack yes so this albums pretty smooth.

After Dark I recently purchased this CD after seaching for it for 22 years. I loved when I first purchased it as an album in 1987, however either my tastes has changed or the music on this CD is not the same as the ones on the original album. I was a little bit disapointed after listening to it recently, this CD did not have the same vibe it did originally.

The last 3 years must have been my lucky years to find music that i have been looking for for over 10 years.

In the last 3 years i have found

"U Turn" By Isaac Hayes

Toast To The Ladies(Containing the song "Heaven" By The Whispers That I Love

D'Angelo "Live At The Jazz Cafe"

"Rated PG" By Perfect Gentlemen

"Call Me A Mack" By Usher

Jamie Foxx "Peep This"(still my favorite Jamie album and still feel it is his best effort)

Tell Me What I Gotta Do(By: Al Jarreau)

and now Ray Parker Jr. "After Dark"

The first time i heard the song"I Dont Think That Man Should Sleep Alone" was on an old tape of the apollo that my mother had. RPJ was the host and he performed "Sleep Alone" and from the first chord i was immidiatley transfixed on this song.

I searched years and years to find this song and the album it was on and came up dry until this past October.

I am not ashamed to say that i spent $45.00 dollars to make this CD apart of my already stellar CD collection and it was worth it.

It shows RPJ more laid back than i have ever heard him.

In addition to "Sleep Alone" other standout cuts from the album are

1. You Shoulda Kept A Spare

2. The Past

3.You Make My Nature Dance

4. and The Smooth Jazz Instrumental "After Midnite"

As others have said this CD is pricey but if you love RPJ like i do
then it is worth it.

I would have bought this CD even if the only song i liked on it was "Sleep Alone" because that song by itself is just that damn good

ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!!!

Ray Parker, Jr. has always had a nice voice, but nowhere do we get a better helping of it than on this underrated 1987 album, which mostly trades on the funk and pop numbers of his earlier albums for a great smooth-soul listening experience. Even on the slightly uptempo selections, his voice precails over everything else, and this album is especially notable for the brilliant smooth-jazz instrumental "After Midnite" which has such a beautiful texture to it that some people may be very surprised that it's not by George Benson, Earl Klugh, or somebody likewise. Other great selections include the R&B hit "I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone," the Natalie Cole duet "Over You," and the catchy "Lovin' You."

Hello. By now you may already know that all of Raydio and Ray Parker's original albums are now released on CD as imports from the UK, Argentina, Japan and Britian. You can obtain them through Ebay as there are several stores that are selling them. OBI listings (a favorite collectors label attached to the CD in a foreign language) are more expensive, however, you can still get them at a reasonable price-without this coveted label.

If you are a longtime, huge fan such as myself, still keep up with this maestro as I do, are an all around lover of his past and present creations, and lastly can afford them, the price may not matter. Bottom line, they are available and reasonable. I have ALL of his original albums now on CD format: From the first 'red' Raydio album through the last one called I'm Free - most recent solo release in 2006. Also, there are several compilations of his on CD format as well. The compliations can be found here in the U.S.

Personally, I think it is a shame that the U.S. doesn't value his recordings enough to format them onto CDs to be available right here in this country where he made his fortune and brought huge, musical entertainment to the masses as well as help increase the financial wealth and success of the labels he was signed with. The U.S. seemed to love him and marketed him accordingly, during his heyday and we are advanced in technology, so I don't know what the slack is and it never made any sense. To me, that speaks volumes!!