Customer Reviews

Central Heating

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best Heatwave album !! The Groove Line is a classic dance tune, which helped start the "chanting" at parties. Star of a Story is one of the hidden gems on any recording. It's use of Johnnie Wilders vocals with an eerie string section made for a memorable ballad. The Wilder brothers vocals, combined with Rod Temperton's song-writing produced one of the most complete CD's.

that this was one of the best bands of the Disco Era. And if it weren't for the fact that the mainstream public turned on the genre starting in 1980, HEATWAVE would have been better appreciated. This is their best work. A great mix of uptempo("Groove Line"), midtempo("Mind Blowing Decisions") and slow jams("Happiness Togetherness") that still sound great today. Johnnie Wilder's voice is soothing and Rod Temperton had a feel for the "groove," that made him one of the best R&B writers/producers of the day. A GREAT CD, and a must have for anyone who loves music.

Heatwave became my favorite group in 1977 with the album "Too Hot to Handle." Central Heating was their second American release. My favorite tunes on this collection is "Happiness Together, Send out for Sunshine and, of course, The Star of a Story - at five minutes, a well crafted song that I can listen to all day! This disc featured dance, r&b and disco/pop. Something special for the 70's music fan. Five stars! (But then, I am biased!!!!)

Who other than Rod Temperton could do a funky thing on Central Heating?
The fabulous UK Band Heatwave made two albums with the musicians you get on this album. Both are R&B gems but I prefer this one. Why? No flaws, it's that simple.
I got it in 78 when it came out in Holland, two years later bought me a second copy cause the first one's grooves were gone. Then the cd.
It is funky and happy R&B music, with tight playing, almost no horns (except for an occasional toot here and there and a nice trombone solo on Happiness Togetherness). Not that you'd miss them for a second.
The Groove Line, Put The Word Out, Central Heating, Party Poops are the up-tempo dance tracks, Send Out For Sunshine and Mind Blowing Decisions (my favorites) great mid-tempos, Happiness Togetherness (another favorite), Star Of A Story and Leavin' For A Dream, wonderful ballads. Great lead vocals (Johnny Wilder Jr. and his brother Keith Wilder) and harmonies, terrific guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keys.
The songwriting is top notch. Beautiful ballads, good stompers, most written by Rod. Quincy must have loved this one too because a little later they started working together on Michael's albums, George Benson, Brothers Johnson etc.
So, get it (if not available here, try amazon.co.uk) and let it heat up the place.

It would be fitting to descirbe individual track from
"Central Heating" but I can't-it simply must be heard from
beginning to end.Beyond strong musicianship,top-flight songwriting,clever lyrical wordplay and BEYOND INCREDIBLE groove
power are only a few of this albums highlites.I know this album
backwards and forwards-having heard the worn-out 8-track since I
was a little boy.Having it on CD does nothing to detract from
it's overall funky intensity.From "Put The Word Out" to it's

finale "Leaving For A Dream" it's a nonstop good time with a
little partying,a little wry social commentary and some plain
old fashioned romance thrown in for good measure.Unbelievable!

Its a shame this great band only made 2 great albums. When Heatwave's songwriter/keyboardist Rod Temperton left the group after this album, Heatwave went downhill. Almost every song on this album is jammin'. Star Of A Story is Heatwave's greatest song. I was told by a former Heatwave member that Rod quit the band because lead singer Johnnie Wilder stole one of his songs. Thats the music business for ya.

Heatwave has put out some of the greatest music I've ever heard. This whole album is just killer. It starts out with "Put The Word Out" which is a great uptempo tune. A great groove, with funky guitar riffs, and punching horns. What a great tune. Next, is "Send Out For Sunshine". This song starts out with a real funky groove in the bass, and then it gradually leads into this great chorus that any music lover will like. It builds up to the chorus perfectly. Next, is "Central Heating" which is the funkiest tune on here. A great funk guitar riff in the beginning of the song, and then it developes this funky bounce that is really quite catchy. The next tune is "Happiness Togetherness" which is a nice slow song separates itself from the rest of the album by being more laid back. Yet, melodically it's really nice. This song was written by J.Wilder who also wrote "Mind Blowing Decisions". "The Groove Line" is the next song which is really good. Uptempo, funky, and groovy. It is a really good song. A great groove in the bass and funky guitar riffs and punching horns as well as a great melody make this a Heatwave classic. Next, is "Mind Blowing Decisions". A nice slow song that has a great melody with nice instrumentation. Following that tune, is "Star of the Story", a nice slow song that has an eerie beginning, and kind of a mysterious beginning to it. It has a very unique melody, and feel to it. It's not my personal favorite, but it's nice and it will grow on you. The next song is "Party Poops". This song is funky, uptempo, and carefree. I gurantee, you'll dance to this one! Very catchy, and very likeable. It's very "Heatwave". Meaning, it has a funky groove to it, with a sort of disco feel to it. It's very effective. "Party Poops" is a very good song. Finally, this great album wraps up with "Leavin' for a Dream". This is a slow song, with a nice melody. It's very soothing and you'll like it. Overall, this album is excellent. It's worth buying, especially if you like funk, r&b, soul, or just fun pop music. This album would not be what it is if were not for the genius of Rod Temperton who wrote 7 of the 9 tracks of this album and wrote everything off of another great Heatwave album "Too Hot To Handle". Rod is one the greatest songwriters of all time. However his most acclaimed work is not with Heatwave, but ironically is with Michael Jackson. He wrote many of MJ's hits such as "Thriller", "Off The Wall", "Rock With You", "Burn this Disco Out" and more. Those are all great songs, and if you dig Heatwave, check out Michael Jackson (Especially his album "Off the Wall" which has the same kind of sound as Heatwave). This album truly is terrific, and I like it a lot. It's something that every music fan should own.

What can I say It's Heatwave! You know when you see Heatwave it's gonna be quality work.The name speaks for itself.This CD is still hot today.Every song on this CD is hot!Send Out For Sunshine is my all time favorite!Of course Groove Line is still hot,The Star Of The Story is memorizing!Put The Word Out that Heatwave is the CD to have in your collection,and that's No Mind Blowing Decision!Ya heard.

this was there 2nd album and did they come back strong all the cuts here are hitting in there on way, listen to "star of the story" this song didn't get much air play but i guarantee you will rewind and listen to it again and again

An oldies but goodies!Thoroughly enjoyed this hot blast from the past. Strongly recommend this CD for any Heatwave fans who do not have Central Heating on CD. Love it!