Customer Reviews

Special Look

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This was a somewhat disappointing effort to break Debbie Allen into the pop/R&B music sector. There are a few enjoyable moments -- namely, in the contagious, grooving titletrack, an uptempo mixture of funky keys and bass splashed with catchy vocal hooks and arrangements; and the quiet-storm ballad "Holdin' on to Love." Both of these tracks were wisely chosen as singles, as they showcase solid musicianship and Allen's pleasing (if not powerful) vocal prowess. Both were also produced by Attala Zane Giles, who was on a successful role at the time with his work for Vesta Williams (see the "Vesta 4 U" album).

Ironically, it's the productions here from Kashif - who had been well established at this point for his work with Melba Moore, Evelyn "Champagne" King, and his own recordings - and Jesse Johnson (of The Time fame) that falter. It sounds as if they're resorting to old formulas; and the multi-tracking of Allen's vocals on their cuts is obvious and cluttered. The end product sounds synthetic and fabricated -- as if the purer and friendly voice of Allen that was introduced in the first half of the set had been replaced by a more formulated and robotic one on songs like "Love Club," "Keepin' It Undercover," and "Love of All Time."

Back in the days, Ms. Allen was a serious choreographer, i.e. Fame. In fact, she taught Janet Jackson how to dance when she started out with her self title LP, "Janet" i.e. "Come give your love to me." Both Debbie Allen and Michael Peters, bless his heart, he's no longer with us, are the best choreographers. Anyway, I heard "Special Look" back in 1987; it grew on me, though I didn't know it was Debbie Allen with the help from Kashif. If you want to dance your ass off, like I did, I highly recommend you get this CD. You choose your tracks. We all have a "Special Look."

The Cd is not so good. But the Title track is fun. It was a child hood memory. I loved the video to the song.

this cd sounds like it was produced for a choreographer, wich it was..it' produced around the dance, like a show or musical, except lyrics come last which is the problem here. i actually love the producion very dance friendly.(not house muisc) The sound here basically is the same through-out. I would say this is a combination of early Pebbles, jody watley and paula abdul rolled into one. Debbie has good voice, but the vocal arrangements don't put them to use.

stand out tracks are , special look , love club