LP Review: Instant Love
Released: 1982
LP Charts: #7 R&B, #133 pop
Another album, another producer. But this time by teaming up with Luther Vandross, Cheryl Lynn created the best LP of her career with Instant Love.
SIDE ONE
This is the weaker side of the album and it’s still pretty good. “Instant Love” (#16 R&B) is mostly mellow disco-funk but with hints of new wave thrown in for good measure. Vandross would expand on this quite a bit on his own album, Busy Body, the next year.
The groovy ballad “Sleep Walkin’” is a fun story-tellin’ tune. Example lyrics…
Then my mama said to me
Thank you for the card from Puerto Rico!
My friends they ask "but Cheryl when did you go?!"
I wish that I could answer them
Fun disappears with “Day After Day” the first of three splendid slow ballads on this album. I mean this song has a flute. A FLUTE! And Lynn hitting an angelic falsetto at around the 2:40 mark.
“Look Before You Leap” brings you lightweight peppy disco-funk.
SIDE TWO
“Say You’ll Be Mine” is firmly in the vein of Chic disco, which is unsurprising since Vandross was once a background singer for that band. The song is disturbingly catchy as it loops around a swirl of strings. After that booty shaker, we have “I Just Wanna Be Your Fantasy”, which isn’t exactly slow, but it is a groover meant to have you coolin’ out.
The album then concludes with two cover songs from classic R&B duos: “Believe in Me” by Ashford & Simpson and “If This World Were Mine” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.
Lynn sings “Believe in Me” totally by herself backed only by strings and an acoustic piano. It is a gorgeous ballad that segues perfectly into “If This World Were Mine” (#4 R&B). On the album finale she is joined by Vandross in a spectacular duet that doesn’t necessarily improve upon the original, but definitely does expand it.
After the initial three minutes, which approximates the run time of the original, Lynn and Vandross decide to croon to the stars for the final two minutes. If you’re gonna do a cover, do something to make it distinctive, an interpretation. They do so here. Kudos.
ALBUM GRADE: B
I got half a mind to give this a B+, but I’m not sure about that. In any case, a very good album and the album to begin you exploration of Cheryl Lynn, compilations aside. Also a must-own for anyone the least bit interested in early 80s R&B and disco.
Song Scores
Instant Love: 6.5/10
Sleep Walkin’: 7.5/10
Day After Day: 8/10
Look Before You Leap: 6.5/10
Say You’ll Be Mine: 7.5/10
I Just Wanna Be Your Fantasy: 7/10
Believe In Me: 8.5/10
If This World Were Mine: 8/10