Leslie Uggams' one shot on Motown

[remicks]

*****

Don't buy it hoping for lost disco despite titles like

MEET ME TONIGHT
I WAS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
TWO SHOES

This is a more sweeping softer styled pop album where dramatic stories are told and Leslie paces her voice going up and down , from loud to soft to loud ... taking it in all possible directions sounding at times like Patti Labelle, Dionne Warwicke, and Denise Williams .....and most commonly sounding like Diana Ross did during that same yet-to-find-disco period in 1975. This album features one instrument above all others .... the voice of Leslie Uggams.

Makes one ask how in the world did she wind up on Motown competing directly with the solo career of Diana Ross and
why didn't Motown release any singles off of this LP ????

Oh wait I've answered that haven't I .

DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT is the most saucy cut ...something mildly approaching Linda Clifford .....funky & Whitfield-ish .... but not disco.

most clever line found on NEXT STOP HEAVEN :
next stop heaven .... and I'm gonna get off with you


*****
---- that tilted shot of the album cover really deflatters a nice cover photo of Leslie

[eddie]

Hey Remicks:

I see some big names on that 1975 release like Don Davis, Michael Henderson, Eddie Hinton, and Earl Van Dyke.


Motown has sort of an odd roster if one were to look at the lesser-knowns who didn't have singles flying up the charts.

Barbara McNair and Billy Eckstein were MOR and song stylists yet signed in the mid 60's era where Motown was focused on Marvin Gaye and the Tempts.

They also took on soul artists who were passed their commercial peak like Jean Carne, Jerry Butler, Chuck Jackson, Jose Feliciano, and Betty Lavette.

Motown also delved into rock-edged soul like The Underdogs and Rare Earth.