LP Review: Wide Receiver
Released: 1980
LP Charts: #6 R&B, #35 pop
We officially have a trend with Michael Henderson. After every really good album he follows it up with a underwhelming album only then to be followed up by a really good album. Since his last album, Do It All, was underwhelming, that means that Wide Receiver is really good.
Before we get to the really good stuff, let’s get the hokey out the way. Henderson delivers not one, but TWO covers on this album. I could do without the Four Tops’ “Ask the Lonely”, but his take on Dionne Warwick’s “Reach Out For Me” is worthy of the wax. I still prefer the original, but Henderson’s cover justifies itself.
Okay, now on to the fun!
“You’re My Choice” is about as pop as Michael Henderson could make a song. It’s still plenty funky, but it’s pretty short for him (3:06) and is definitely constructed like an early-80s Motown song. Henderson is thumbing around on bass like James Jamerson and there’s the obligatory short sax solo. But since it is the early 80s, there’s plenty of synths and keyboards in these proceedings.
“Make Me Feel Like” is a return to Henderson’s funk styling from Solid. It’s still sounds 1980, but it has the feel of his early funk enthusiasm. Indeed the song is just pure fun as he duets with Venna Keith, I believe, about the ups and downs and stresses of life.
“Wide Receiver” (#4 R&B) gave Henderson his second and final top 10 R&B single as a solo artist. It is pure P-Funk with all sorts of crazy/stupid/silly lyrics. It’s also incredibly long at eight minutes. I wish someone got a instrumental solo, but the beat and groove is pretty funky, so it’s bearable.
On “I Don’t Need Nobody Else” is where you really begin to notice that Wide Receiver as an album is very much influenced by new wave. This thing has all kinds of eerie keyboards and squeaky sounds built into its otherwise soul arrangement.
Speaking of soul… “What I'm Feeling (For You)” is SOUL MUSIC. Henderson gives a surprisingly straightforward ballad performance. He often had vocal quirks in his performances, but not here. There’s also some fantastic backup vocals. And let us not forget Henderson’s bass guitar which is bowing in and out all over this song.
“There’s No One Like You” is one of the weirdest songs I’ve ever heard. It merges the squeaky synths and drumming of new wave with angelic gospel harmonies. It’s a strange arrangement and I can easily see someone not liking the song, but I LOVE IT!
The album ends on “Prove It” a straight-up new wave rocker, where Henderson acquaints himself quite well singing about the pressures of stardom—specifically the demands fans put on musicians.
ALBUM GRADE: B
A uniformly really good album, except that turd that is “Ask the Lonely”. Single-handedly keeps this album from possible B+ territory. Well that and the overly long title track, which is good, but didn’t need to be eight minutes.
Song Scores
You’re My Choice: 8/10
Make Me Feel Like: 8/10
Reach Out For Me: 7/10
Wide Receiver: 7/10
I Don’t Need Nobody Else: 7/10
What I'm Feeling (For You): 7.5/10
Ask The Lonely: 4/10
There’s No One Like You: 7.5/10
Prove It: 7/10