"The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN – December 1979, October 1980 and June 1982 US Albums on Atlantic Records - Guests included Corrado Rustici on Guitar, T.M. Stevens on Bass and Frank Martin on Keyboards with Wayne Shorter on Saxophone (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Take It To The Bossman..."

When Jazz-Fusion Drummer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN left John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra behind – Michigan's finest signed to Atlantic Records and promptly released a string of albums that are held in real affection to this day. This is the second instalment by Beat Goes On of England covering his Jazz-Funk-Soul years with the label - their first 2CD set expertly handled his first three albums for the label - "Garden Of Love Light" and "I Cry, I Smile" - both from 1977 and  "Awakening" from 1979 (see separate review and photo provided below).

This second 3LPs onto 2CDs Reissue/Remasters instalment gets into the period most fans loved and picked up on in the first place – back in those hazy Funky days. His breakthrough album "The Dance Of Life" from 1979 with the monster hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" and the two LPs that cemented his rep as a Soulful Funkster – "Victory" from 1980 and "Confidence" from 1982. Here are the dancing details...

UK released Friday, 20 November 2015 (December 2015 in the USA) - "The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN is a Compilation on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1215 (Barcode 5017261212153) that features 3LPs onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (62:53 minutes):
1. You're Soo Good [Side 1]
2. I Shoulda Loved Ya
3. Lovin' You Madly
4. Crazy For Ya
5. Tonight I'm Alright [Side 2]
6. Why Did You Turn On Me
7. Carry On
8. The Dance Of Life
Tracks 1 to 8 are his 4th solo album "The Dance Of Life" – released December 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19259 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50678

9. The Real Thang
10. I Want You
11. Take It To The Bossman
12. Alone Without You
Tracks 9 to 12 are Side 1 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19279 and in the UK Atlantic K 50743

Disc 2 (61:57 minutes):
1. Get Up!
2. Lucky Fella
3. You Will Find Your Way
4. Victory Suite:
(a) The Theme (b) The Battle (Hero-Soldiers Battle The Hostile Forces) (c) Victory For The Hero-Soldiers
Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50743

5. You're No. 1
6. Summer Lady
7. I'm Ready
8. Safe In My Arms
9. Confidence [Side 2]
10. Holiday
11. You Ought To Love Me
12. Listen To Me
Tracks 5 to 12 are his sixth studio album "Confidence" – released June 1982 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK and Europe on Atlantic ATL 50 883

There's a classy card wrap, a chunky 28-page booklet with new liner notes from Mojo’s resident Jazz writer CHARLES WARING along with album credits, lyrics and photos. But the best news is 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON – fans are going to love the Audio here – beautifully transferred...

While the preceding album "Awakening" finally saw NMW see some LP chart action - rising to a very respectable No.15 slot on the US R&B album charts in March 1979 – it was "The Dance Of Life" LP from later that year that made him a star. It broke the top ten and nestled at No. 9 in December of 1979 – bolstered up with the huge hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" which reached No. 4 on the singles chart and "Tonight I'm Alright" which managed a more modest No. 35. Narada handled Lead Vocals, Drums, All Percussion and some Piano while Corrado Rustici played Guitar, T.M. Stevens did the Bass and Frank Martin played Keyboards and Synths.

Relistening to this superb Remaster in 2015 - I'd forgotten just how wickedly catchy the guitar-funk of "You're Soo Good" and the album's title track "The Dance Of Life" are – a six and a half minute fusion instrumental dedicated to both former band mates David Sancious and Mahavishnu – Rustici's guitar work sounding like Carlos Santana on a roll. I can also still feel the Funk big time on the 6:34-minutes of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" - the kind of Atlantic 12" single I DJ'd to death back in the day (a guaranteed crowd pleaser and hip-swiveller).

Even though it managed only No.21 high on the US Billboard R&B LP charts – the "Dance Of Life" follow-up LP "Victory" was actually a better album for me (especially Side 1). The rapid-paced brass-funky opener "The Real Thang" is a belter and clearly trying to ape the sheer Hitsville of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" – just about pulling it off too (so Earth, Wind & Fire). It hit the US R&B singles charts in early November 1980 (just after the album's release) but only managed a modest No. 22 placing when in hindsight – it should have climbed much higher. I'd forgotten just how good "I Want You" is – a great slice of Chic-inspired Soul-Funk – sounding absolutely spiffing here – far better than my worn-out Atlantic Records 12" Single (K 11634T). 

Continuing with the "Victory" album, again, "Take It To The Bossman" could have been another winning single – funky in all the right ways and with huge guitar breaks that amaze even now – but it was never capitalised upon. The pseudo crowd chanting in "Get Up!" was probably a mistake and "Lucky Fella" (dedicated to his Dad) feels a tad forced too - but things get better with the smooch of "You Will Find Your Way". The "Victory" LP ends with the slightly indulgent 8:33 minutes of the 3-part "Victory Suite" – an instrumental that at times feels like a Fusion Band on a marching spree. It waffles on until it reaches a nice phase around 2:40 minutes and continues that way with tasty guitar work right up to its mellow finish (an edit and it would have been special). 

"...Everybody ready! We're gonna jam y'all!" - Narada shouts at the beginning of "You're No. 1" – a cool Funky opener for the third platter on offer here - "Confidence". The slinky and catchy "I'm Ready" was issued as a 45 (and 12" in the UK) – a very appealing groove - similar to Rod Temperton's sound with Heatwave. Funky and aimed at the feet – "Summer Lady" is the album's best groove – a tune that still stands up (too hot for me). I've always liked his Soul-Mellow tribute to Joni Mitchell "Blue Side To Midnight" which finishes the album in smoochy 'poor me' mode (Wayne Shorter puts in a lovely Sax solo)...

Three good Soul-Funk-Fusion albums Remastered really well onto 2CDs with quality presentation and affection – Narada Michael Walden fans will lap this up...