Gap Band 4

Gap Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000001F9P
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,881 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another solid 80s classic, March 9, 2008

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gap Band 4 (Audio CD)

There's not much that I can add to all the glowing reviews below but I have to say that back in the day, these were the dudes, for real. Alongside other real bands like Cameo, Kool & The Gang, The Brothers Johnson, Brass Construction & Skyy (just to name a couple), the Gap Band made sure we kept dancing back in the late 70s and early 80s. Lead singer Charlie Wilson, himself clearly influenced by soul legends that had preceded him, was a huge influence on many great singers that were yet to come; people like Keith Sweat, R. Kelly, Joe and all those who have followed on from them. All these guys have had huge success with Charlie's style though not one of them was as good as the original, in my opinion. That was clear to anyone who had ears when Charlie appeared alongside Justin Timberlake on the recent Snoop Dogg single "Signs", even though his performance is often not even credited.

This 1982 monster was full of the good stuff. "Early In The Morning" (with that iconic crowing cockerel intro and its wild guitar solo) was one of my favourite tunes ever and still is. "Outstanding" is a classic that surely needs no introduction and as for "You Dropped A Bomb On Me", boy... I wonder if anyone would find it possible to resist this kind of music even now?

But their mid-tempo ballads were equally magnificent. "Seasons No Reason To Change", with its brilliant piano-led intrumental outro & "Stay With Me", are both heartfelt and incredibly soulful. I also really love the flugelhorn-driven "I Can't Get Over You".

The album was produced by Lonnie Simmonds and I feel a need to reiterate the fact that this trio of brothers were a proper band, playing live instruments - something that hardly exists anymore. They had a group of other musicians behind them, playing keyboards, synthesizers, bass, drums, percussion, horns and guitar but Charlie didn't just sing; he also played keyboards, synthesizer, mini-moog and percussion. Robert played the bass, lead guitar and percussion and Ronnie played keyboards, flugelhorn, synthesizer and percussion.

I'm glad to finally get this on CD. My sad vinyl version is scratched beyond redemption and I've been looking for this for years. Oh, how I miss the good old days!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding !!!!!!!!, December 16, 1998

By 

Kevin J. Ford "Movies and more movies, but go... (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gap Band 4 (Audio CD)

After Gap Band III, I didn't think The Gap Band could get no better. But damn!!!! they just came out of nowhere and knocked out all competition that were dropping albums around the time this one dropped. I remember hearing that rooster crow for the first time on Early In The Morning and the bass just dropped. And I was like, these boys ain't playing. And how can I forget about Outstanding. Just like Yearning For Your Love, this track was classy and funky at the same time. And I thought Lonely Like Me was an overlooked classic jam. Go get you a copy so you can reminisce.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet Another Exceptional Effort from The Gap Band, October 17, 2003

By 

Maria Alvarez "feline854481" (Stevens Point,WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gap Band 4 (Audio CD)

What can I say about this album? It's the one that gained the gappers Mainstream Popularity & Mass Critical Acclaim. Words can't describe how much Musical Ingenuity the Gap Band Mastered. These Guyz were more than just a group;They were the Epitome of Soul & Funk Music. They always carried the Torch for Funk back in the day & kept The Funk Alive when many people thought Funk had fell off & was dead. The Gappers still reign as the Icons of that genre. Anyways about Gap Band IV,I can sum it up in so many words: sensational,superb,stunning....The list goes on & on. But let's get straight to the point,this album contains some of their biggest hits. It includes "Early In The Morning" with its outlandish,Synth basslines,The Exquisite Slow Jam Stunner,"Stay With Me",The Mesmerizing,Multi-Faceted Musical Masterpiece known as "Outstanding"(a dance groove & a slow jam rolled into one) & of course the boomin' & bombastic Monster Funk of "You Dropped a Bomb On Me". Also "Season's No Reason To Change" is another great R&B Ballad that emulates nothing but Pure Soul. Charlie Wilson's Voice is Rich,Textured & Emotive throughout the entire disc. And man What a Gift these Brothers have for melodies & songwriting. They really know how to compose a song that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. Don't sleep on the lesser known tracks on this disc. "Lonely Like Me","I Can't Get Over You" & the Almighty Groove of "Talkin' Back" keep the Jamz Commin' and hold their own amongst all the Mega Hits here. Bottom Line: The Gap Band's songs are Soulful & Sharp-Witted and their Musicianship is the Tightest,so pick up this album & all their others too.