LP Review: Warmer Communications
Released: 1978
LP Charts: #12 R&B, #28 pop
After their side adventure with Ben E. King, Average White Band returns with their official follow up to Soul Searching with Warmer Communications. As was becoming typical now, AWB didn’t lodge any smash hit single, but managed to produce an album that sold quite well. Warmer Communications was yet another gold album for the group.
Honestly, I can see why this album sold well, but none of its singles did. AWB really was an album-oriented group. Few of their songs scream, “Radio magic!” Theirs are grooves designed for cohesive listening. Now this doesn’t mean they had concept albums or anything. Or even breakthrough compositions. Just solid, enjoyable listening material.
The album opener “Your Love Is A Miracle”proves all my above points. Fancy that. It was a single, but did poorly (#33 R&B). Nonetheless, it’s pretty darn good being their obligatory slow heavy funker (see previous entries like “School Boy Crush” or “Love Your Life”).
The pace picks up the tongue-in-cheek “Same Feeling, Different Song”. Well, I hope this jam was purposely tongue-in-cheek. I’ll pretend it is. Cuz it sure does sound like “Pick Up The Pieces”, but processed into a disco-funk jam. For the record, “Pick Up The Pieces” was more like proto-disco-funk jammin’.
We get some stompin’ funk with “Big City Lights”.
“She’s A Dream” is breezily cool with light harmonies and whistling flute. “The Price of the Dream” also keeps it cool, but funkily so.
“Warmer Communications” is reggae. Sure, why not.
Shit’ch’yeah gimme all that instrumental funk on “Sweet & Sour” a showcase for the Dundee Horns (Roger Ball and Molly Duncan), as AWB’s saxophonists were known. Also features a rare keyboard solo from Ball.
No such keyboard solo on this live version as Ball and Duncan were tethered to their saxomaphones.
“One Look over My Shoulder (Is This Really Goodbye?)” closes the album with some big brassy R&B balladry.
I deliberately saved “Daddy’s All Gone” for last. Weakest song, but that AWB professionalism as usual keeps this ballad listenable, even if it ain’t memorable.
ALBUM GRADE: B+
These dudes know how to put out a damn good album. Only one song that veers toward average while the rest are very good. Still keeping their identity while adding little touches here and there. Also, it flows really well. Can’t underestimate the feeling that an album is moving and taking you places.
Song Scores
Your Love Is A Miracle: 8/10
Same Feeling, Different Song: 8/10
Daddy’s All Gone: 6.5/10
Big City Lights: 7.5/10
She’s A Dream: 8/10
Warmer Communications: 7/10
The Price of the Dream: 7.5/10
Sweet & Sour: 8/10
One Look over My Shoulder (Is This Really Goodbye?): 7.5/10