LP Review: Enchantment's 1980s Albums
Enchantment was one of those groups that excelled during the height of 70s sweet soul music. As the 70s neared their end, the sweetness of 70s soul turned from natural honey into high fructose corn syrup. The trend only got worse in the early 1980s as many former 70s soul acts couldn’t fully adjust to the new sonic realities of evermore processed music.
Soft Lights, Sweet Music
With all that said Soft Lights, Sweet Music showed that Enchantment could have adjusted to the times. Released in 1980 it excels when it veers more toward the sounds of LA pop, Yacht Soul, and post-disco instead of the more staid paths of burgeoning urban contemporary and quiet storm sounds.
“Settin’ Out” is an example of some competently performed post-disco, while “I Believe In You” is splendid Yacht Soul. Both songs are filled with joyful energy.
“Moment of Weakness” is the other side of the coin being a big boring ballad. And then there’s “I Can’t Fake It”, which was part of probably the worst musical trend of the early 80s: retro-50s style soda shop pop. A few acts pulled that off—like Kool & the Gang with “Joanna”—but Enchantment fucking falls flat on their ass with “I Can’t Fake It”.
At least the album manages to put forth another sweet song in “I Can’t Be the One”. Good margarita tune.
ALBUM GRADE: D+
Song Scores
Settin’ It Out: 7/10
I'm Who You Found (Not Who You Lost): 6/10
I Believe In You: 7.5/10
Moment of Weakness: 4/10
I Can’t Fake It: 2/10
Soft Lights, Sweet Music: 5/10
Are You Ready For Love: 4/10
I Can’t Be the One: 6.5/10
You And Me: 6/10
Enchanted Lady
Well, the problems from the previous album only get more pronounced on Enchanted Lady released in 1982. The ballads are sent through evermore effective anodyne processing to make sure you feel nothing. The uptempo songs are less victimized, but they still aren’t anything to write home about.
An album to generally skip.
Highlight Dance Song: “Only You” which has some interesting percussion.
Highlight Ballad: “I Can’t Forget You” which is listenable. Not saying much, I know.
ALBUM GRADE: D
Song Scores
I Know Your Hot Spot: 5/10
Enchanted Lady: 4/10
Toe Jammin’: 5/10
I Can’t Forget You: 6/10
Adora: 3/10
Only You: 6.5/10
Your Love Is Like A Melody: 6/10
Peace Is What the World Needs: 5/10
Utopia
Utopia was put out in 1983 and signs of life immediately show up on the opener “Give It Up”. Its filled with all the usual blips and zips of circa 1983 dance music, but importantly the drumming hasn’t yet become BIG BAM BOOM yet. Plus there’s a happenin’ synth bass. Essentially this song sounds like Enchantment being with the times instead of Enchantment trying to keep up with the times.
“Come Be My Lover” (a mixture of synthfunk and new wave) doesn’t quite sound as natural as “Give It Up”, but it’s a step above the usual fare to be found on the previous two LPs.
Anyways, after that initial burst of energy the album quickly lets you know it’s not gonna be much, if at all, better than the preceding efforts.
If I had told an R&B music fan in 1977 that Enchantment would struggle with ballads six years in the future, they’d have been gobsmacked, but here we are. “Love Struck” is yet another sorry ballad that the group put out over the course of the early 1980s. Truly stunning considering Enchantment’s big late 70s hits were all ballads. “Don’t Fight the Feeling” does a bit better, but it’s still a mediocre effort.
And with this Enchantment went out with a whimper. No new albums from the vocal group since this 1983 release.
ALBUM GRADE: D
Song Scores
Give It Up: 7/10
Come Be My Lover: 6/10
Love Struck: 4/10
Here’s Your Chance: 6/10
Don’t Fight the Feeling: 5/10
Somebody’s Loving You: 5/10
I’m Dreaming: 5/10
Get It While It’s Hot: 4/10
Gotta Find A Love: 4/10