Customer Reviews

In the Heat of the Night

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

 

 

I first heard of Imagination when their single "Just An Illusion" was being played on the radio during my freshman year. Imagination's falsetto based sound reminds me of the work of earlier groups like Blue Magic & The Delphonics, but definitely with that post disco early 80's synthesized feel. "Just An Illusion" (my favorite cut, also featured in the movie "F/X") has a laid back finger snapping danceable groove. "Changes" is another great cut that will get your head noddin'. "In the Heat of the Night," great music but the lyrics didn't make much sense to me. "Heart and Soul" and "Music and Lights" are also good tunes. "All I Want to Know," "One More Love" and
"All Night Lovin'" sound a little "sleepy" to me but that's just my opinion! Too bad the group's now defunct. Overall, this is a pretty good CD!

After the crash of disco during the late seventies there was not much to dance about. New Wave was ruling and even disco queen Donna Summer lost her thrown. In Europe disco (or better say dancemusic) did not entirely fanished. People still wanted to dance and some artists (also Donna) try to keep up the torch before Madonna and Shannon renewed disco some years later. Imagination was something special in that respect. Their music was soulfull, swinging, danceable.. but not really disco. The producers duo Tony Swain and Steve Jolley curved a special dance music style: typical bass loops, slow rhythms and vocal arrangements. It is very nice music to listen to or even pre lounge music. It can be called sensual, but in overall really Imagination. Very recognizable. This is the best Imagination album of all. The biggest hit was "Just An Illusion" (recently sampled by Mariah Carey on "Get Your Number") later followed by "Music And Lights" and "Changes". The most fastest song is "Heart And Soul" and there are some good ballads like "All Night Loving" and "One More Love". It's a pity the extras are only the single versions. They could have made it more interesting in adding some discosingle versions which I still have on vinyl.

Imagination suffer no sophmore slump at all on 1982's 'In The Heat Of The Night'.The songwriting style remains the same and has actually improved a little.The title song,"All Night Loving" and "All I Want To Know" are fabolous low to midtempo slow grooves but,unlike many attached to terrific melodies!The deep grooves of "Music And Light","One More Love" and the spine tingling "Changes" will indeed give you goosebumps at their smooth,blithe funkiness."Heart N' Soul" is again an excellent example of Imaginations very early grasp on the burgeoning house music style that would explode later in the decade and that they'd already begun to explore on their debut a year earlier.This album is FAR MORE then the equal of the 1981's
'Body Talk' album and I strongly suggest that the two CD's be purchased together-they are the only in-print examples of this groups unique sound and style!After all,they've made a fan out of me for sure!

Personally, I found "In the Heat of the Night" a good disc! I am just biased for "Body Talk (4 stars)." I bought both discs together (just to cover myself!). Believe me, I didn't waste my money! If you can get them for a good price, please purchase "In the Heat of the Night" together with "Body Talk" and run your own comparison. In my view, you won't regret it! Three stars!

I first heard these guys while stationed in German where I met my wife. It is scary how it seems to tell my story LOL! OK, personal stuff aside, the lyrics and music is very well done. It had some smooth low lights with you mate stuff and toe tappers like Music and Lights.