"Cheryl Lynn" by CHERYL LYNN - A Review Of Her 1978 Album - Now Remastered And Expanded On CD by Soul Music Records In 2014...

“…Got To Be Real…”  - Cheryl Lynn by CHERYL LYNN (2014 Soul Music CD Remaster)

A clever reissue this.

The self-titled “Cheryl Lynn” album came out Stateside in November 1978 on Columbia JC 35486 and promptly climbed the R&B Charts to Number 5 (it was on CBS Records S CBS 83145 in the UK). It did so on the back of the monster hit “Got To Be Real” – sampled by so many and used in umpteen films as well as being a “Sex & The City” TV regular and catwalk staple. Co-written by Lynn with David Paich and David Foster of Toto – it’s a dancefloor killer that stills slays them in the aisles to this day. To hear it in this superb sound quality is a real blast.  Here are the details…

UK released August 2014 on Soul Music Records SMCR 5122 (Barcode 5013929082236 – Tracks 1 to 9 make up the original LP “Cheryl Lynn” with Tracks 10 to 13 being bonuses.

10. “Got To be Real” (US 7” Single Edit – 3:45 minutes)

11. “Star Love” (US Single Edit – 6:08 minutes)

12. “Star Love” (USA Promo-Only 12” Single Edit – 4:14 minutes)

13. “You Saved My Day” (USA Promo-Only 12” Version – 5:32 minutes)

The 16-page colour booklet has superbly detailed liner notes by A. Scott Galloway that includes contributions and recollections by singer-songwriter Cheryl Lynn, songwriter and Keyboard player David Paich and the Drummer on the sessions - James Gadson. There’s original artwork, 7” singles from around the world and Repro’s of those desirable 12” White label Promos on Columbia. The sound quality is fabulous – beautifully remastered by ALAN WILSON from licensed Sony master tapes.

The ballads are pretty – “Come In From The Rain” written by Carole Bayer Sager and Melissa Manchester and the lovely album finisher “Daybreak (Storybook Children)” – a firm fan favourite. You get in-your-face production values on fast dancers like “Give My Love To You” (a co-write with Ray Parker Jr.) and the mid-tempo “You’re The One” – while “You Saved My Day” was put out on Columbia in 1979 extending the album’s lifespan into a new year.

“Cheryl Lynn” is a joyous Soul LP with cracking tunes and her great voice in full flow and is quietly remembered with real affection. Now in 2014 it has a quality reissue with top class sound.

Soul Music Records are to be praised for reissuing it in such style…