George Benson
Give Me The Night

In all, Got To Be Real: The Columbia Anthology is a welcome addition to any R&B fan's music library, a comprehensive survey of Cheryl Lynn's best-known work that never fails to get the toes tapping and hips swaying. The impressive collection is available now wherever good music is sold.

In the summer and fall of 1982, "Love Come Down" was all over Detroit and environs radio. At the Genopolis bar and club in Detroit's famed Greektown area, the disc jockey would spin this record early in the evening and when the opening chimes came through the loudspeakers, the patrons would throw down their drinks and cigarettes and rush to the dance floor. This record would get the party started. Slower in tempo than King's smash "Shame," but with a funkier groove, King proved that she was more than just a one-hit wonder with this release. Her strong and vibrant vocals are spot on and give the record the extra oomph that is needed to keep the listener interested - and dancing.

Originally released on the obscure La Shawn label back in 1980, "Take Me I'm Yours" is widely considered to be one of Patrick Adams' best productions. It's certainly something of a dusty gem, with Mary Clark's soulful, country-tinged vocals simply soaring over a reggae-tinged, string-drenched disco groove.

“Feeling so good” is an equally physical and spiritual affair and contains six lengthy tunes. Tunes that live from the tight interplay of all instruments, the crisp, clear and powerful production and a wild and steaming atmosphere.

Nearly every one of Patrice Rushen's R&B hits -- including the Top Ten singles "Haven't You Heard," "Forget Me Nots," "Feels So Real (Won't Let Go)," and "Watch Out" -- are featured on the single-disc anthology Haven't You Heard: The Best of Patrice Rushen. With the exception of "Watch Out," her only Top 40 hit for Arista, the material is entirely drawn from Rushen's heyday at Elektra, when she was fusing jazz with R&B and pop. The songs on Haven't You Heard represent the high watermark of her fusions, which makes the compilation both an excellent introduction and a comprehensive career retrospective.

That Friday Pay (Eagle Flying Day) by Sonny Jenkins and the New York Potpourri Strings produced by August Darnell