LP Review: Loveshine
Released: 1978
LP Charts: #10 R&B, #32 pop
Overall, Loveshine finds Con Funk Shun picking pretty much where they left off on Secrets (B+). That’s a damn good thing. Like its immediate predecessor, Loveshine would be certified gold as Con Funk Shun solidified their place as a mainstay of funk and R&B of the late 1970s.
The big feelgood jam from this album was “Shake and Dance With Me” (#5 R&B, #60 pop). The midtempo BBQ anthem is enlivened by some understated organ and spritely horns. And as on their previous BBQ summertime hit, “Ffun”, co-lead singers Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate share the mic. Pilate gets most of the airtime with his tenor/falsetto while Cooper has right-on-time asides that provide some heft to the otherwise airy song.
Right in line with the good vibes of “Shake and Dance With Me” is “So Easy” (#28 R&B). Although it was a relative flop as a single, it’s still a winner in my book.
It wouldn’t be a Con Funk Shun album without slow and boring Pilate ballads. This album’s entry in that collection is “Make It Last”. Oughta be called “Make It Slow” cuz that ballad completely stalls out the momentum of the LP over the course of its five minutes.
However, Pilate does contribute better ballads than that sorry entry. “Magic Woman”, “I Think I Found the Answer”, and “Can’t Go Away” each find a way to balladeer without putting the listener to sleep.
“Loveshine” serves as a superb groove to drive around the block to. “When the Feeling’s Right” has intriguing guitar work—both of the electric and rhythm variety—that lays atop a chunky synth bass line. This song also features prominent organ and is the rawest funk you’ll find on this otherwise shiny album.
Speaking of shiny, “Wanna Be There” shimmers like a resplendent sunrise in its easy going disco verve.
ALBUM GRADE: B
A worthy followup to Secrets, even if it lacks some of the pure fire of its predecessor, Loveshine is great for you ‘70s funksters.
The only inclination to reach for the skip button is when “Make It Last” comes on, but since it’s merely one bland song amongst many very good and even great songs, you can hold off and just ride with it.
Song Scores
So Easy: 7.5/10
Magic Woman: 6.5/10
Shake and Dance With Me: 8/10
Make It Last: 5/10
Loveshine: 7.5/10
When the Feeling’s Right: 7.5/10
I Think I Found the Answer: 6.5/10
Wanna Be There: 7/10
Can’t Go Away: 6.5/10
Boring? Pilate is boring? Felton Pilate is the best thing to happen to Confunkshun, and his ballads are far from boring. I am not sure which ear you are listening with, but I dont want to get too personal. I think the review is rather harsh on the falsetto singer.