Customer Reviews

Frantic Romantic

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Jermaine Stewart's second album, "Frantic Romantic" was released in Spring 1986 and instantly became an essential '80s R&B/Dance album, produced by Narada Michael Walden, who was red-hot at the time producing smash hits for the likes of Whitney Houston and Lady Soul Aretha Franklin. The casual music listener will only remember Jermaine for his Summer '86 hit single with the provocative title "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off", but this is a solid album that's full of stellar tracks, many even better than "Clothes".

The album kicks off with "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off", an infectious dance-pop number promoting abstinence in the wake of the AIDS crisis (which ultimately claimed Jermaine in the next decade). "Clothes" reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, though it did it even better in other countries, even going to #1 here in Canada in July 1986.

"Dance Floor" should have been a major club hit with its bells and chimes and strong baritone backup vocals. Here Jermaine invites the listener to "choose your own dance floor" while spouting lyrics that were both timely ("Aerobicize to keep fit") and timeless ("No closet to be locked in"). This is another of the best songs and it's abrupt ending doesn't seem at all inappropriate.

The middling "Jody" is an homage to Stewart's best friend Jody Watley with a laid-back groove and snaky bassline over which Jermaine yelps and wails.

The fluttery "Versatile" is next, which is actually one of the album's weaker links, despite the fact it was produced by Jellybean Benitez, who usually did much better work than this.

The title song, "Frantic Romantic" is a mid-tempo classy dance track driven by a solid drum-machine.

"Don't Ever Leave Me" is a gorgeous ballad that's more radio-friendly than the first album's stellar ballad "Brilliance", and should have been a HUGE hit a la "Secret Lovers" by Atlantic Starr. Jermaine's vocal soars during the climax before it ends perfectly with a sensual, spoken outro.

JS sounds wickedly playful on the fun S&M number "Out to Punish". A hyperactive drum machine intro gives way to scratchy guitar work and intentionally campy lyrics. Madonna's "Hanky Panky" wishes it could have been this much fun. Jermaine shouts "Don't you EVER...DO...THAT...AGAIN" while delivering a spanking to his bad girl, who whines and groans in the background. The tempo is similar to Phil Collins' "Sussudio".

The calypso-flavored "Moonlight Carnival" is like a less-cloying "Rhythm of the Night" (the 1985 Debarge hit). Who can resist this song when Jermaine sings "You'll feel so brand newwwww!". His ad-libs here are terrific and this is one of the best songs.

Another of the weaker links is the breezy "Give Your Love to Me" on which Jermaine sounds a little distant.

The bonus tracks on the import CD include two songs from the debut album: the radio version of "The Word is Out" and the stunning ballad "Brilliance" as well as a sizzling 12" dance version of "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" that totally obliterates the single edit, as well as an extended 12" Dance Mixes of "The Word Is Out", "Jody" and "Dance Floor".

This album was reissued on CD in 2010 but before that copies were selling for upwards of $40 each, so IMO this one's a steal! Also, this version restores the original album sequence whereas the original release shuffled the songs around and IMO it wasn't as cohesive.

"Frantic Romantic" is definitely the best of all Jermaine's work and an R&B/Dance Classic of the 1980s. It's so sad we lost Jermaine so early, but thankfully his music lives on.

This cd is a one of a kind from this "late" great artist. It features the hits "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" and "Jody". Highly recommended.

This is the best album that Jermaine Stewart released in his short career. Every song in this album is good, there's the dance floor killers and some mellow ones. If you can get the copy of this CD that was released in Germany, that version has 2 extra tracks, "We Don't(Clothes Off") regular and extended dance remix and "The Word Is Out" regular and dance remix. Jermaine Stewart deserved more credit than he received and I believe it was because he was gay. I loved his uniquenes just like "Sylvester" the great disco & dance music Icon. Jermaine you are truly missed.

back in 1995 i was listening to a retro show and they played the song clothes of and i remembered the song when it cae out in 1986 and i went and brought the tape very good songs i like 1.jody 2verstile to bad he had good talent.

Great cd! I've been looking for some of these songs for quite some time now, and I finally have them in my possession! Makes my morning and afternoon commutes a lot more pleasureable. Trying to re-live my youth through the music.

Woo hoo! They finally re-released this great CD with bonus remixes!!

Tracks:

1 We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off
2 Dance Floor
3 Jody
4 Versatile
5 Frantic Romantic
6 Don't Ever Leave Me
7 Out To Punish
8 Moonlight Carnival
9 Give Your Love To Me
10 The Word Is Out
11 We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off (Special Extended Version)
12 Brilliance
13 The Word Is Out (West Mix - Extended Version)
14 Jody (Dance Version)
15 Dance Floor (Extended Version)
16 Don't Ever Leave Me (Extended Version)