Heatwave – Candles

Album Revolution #4:

1980 was the start of SO MANY different Musical directions..."Heavy Metal" was starting to BLOOM, "New Wave" was already THERE, and "Hip-Hop" was COMING to the table...On top of that, the "Disco Sucks Movement" was on the horizon....So, if you were the product of the "Disco Movement", you were about to REALLY FEEL the BACKLASH!!!!

Being part of the Culture, "Heatwave" couldn't CARE LESS!!!!, but not for the reason you might think....They had their OWN internal ISSUES to think about...One is the situation with Co-Founding member, "Johnnie Wilder Jr."....In 1979, "Johnnie" SUFFERED a TRAGIC Car Accident, leaving him Paralyzed from the Neck down....After his recovery though, he chose to stay with the Band...He just could not Perform on the Road anymore...So along with "Keith Wilder", "Ernest Berger", "William Jones", "Calvin Duke" and "Derek Bramble", the Band was joined by a VERY TALENTED Vocalist in "J.D. Nicholas"....

"J.D. Nicholas"....This "United Kingdom" born Vocalist, had a profound love for "Soul & R&B" Music....He also worked with other artists, like "Ray Parker Jr." and "Cheryl Lynn"....So Blending his talents with "Johnnie" and "Keith" and with "Johnnie" getting Producing help from, "James Guthrie" (who worked with the Classic "Art Rock" Band, "Pink Floyd"), "Heatwave" GRACED us with the next offering in "Candles"....

Still getting help from Writing Partner (and Co-Founding member), "Rod Templeton", "Heatwave continues to MASTER what we EXPECT from the Band...THE GROOVE!!!!!

And that's how the album starts, with "Gangsters Of The Groove"....This has the Band sounding REFOCUSED, and PROVES again that the Band is capable of making us GET DOWN!!!! The good thing about this joint is, that it flew under the radar of the "Disco Sucks Movement", while STILL being Danceable.....The Interplay Vocals of "Keith" and "Johnnie" STILL sound INTACT, even with what "Johnnie" was dealing with...That just made him a CHAMPION in my eyes!!!!!!

The Groove CONTINUES with "Jitterbuggin'"....Having the "Wilder" Brothers and "J.D" Interplay Vocals was RIGHTEOUS!!!! This ALMOST gives me "Earth, Wind & Fire", "In The Stone" Vibes...Hey, I said ALMOST!!!!!

"Party Suite" does go back to the "Disco" Vibe....The NASTY Bass Line surrounds "J.D's" Lead Vocals PERFECTLY!!!!! He sounds VERY COMFORTABLE with "Heatwave", like he was there from DAY ONE!!!! Again, I don't know how this went under the "Disco Suck Movement" radar, but I am SO GLAD IT DID!!!!!!

"Turn Around" is a VERY NICE Mellow Groove, with a FUNK Backdrop..."Johnnie" handles his Wife "Linda Phillips Wilder's" Composition with SO MUCH STRENGTH!!!! Even though you can tell the difference in his Vocals since the Accident, it DIDN'T MATTER, his STILL KILLED IT!!!!!

The 2nd Side starts with "Posin' 'Til Closin'"....This DEFINATLY brought "Heatwave" into the '80's, without OVERDOING IT!!!!! "Johnnie" again PROVED that he STILL could handle Lead Vocal duties...Again, even though his Vocals was not as strong, he STILL DELEVERED!!!!! This also have a Mellow Funk Groove that just will have your head bob....

Written By "Lynsey De Paul" and "Susan Sheridan", "All I Am" helps "Johnnie" to CONTINUE to be the IMATATION STANDARD!!!! With a FANTASTIC Guitar and String Melody behind him, he STILL gives us that PERFECT Allure for a Slow Jam!!!!!!

"Dreamin' You" also brings "Heatwave" into the '80's...This time "J.D." handles Lead Vocals, and again he FEEL very COMFORTABLE with the Band..."Johnnie" comes in to help out as well...

"Goin' Crazy" brings the FREAKIN' "Rod Templeton" out of "Heatwave"....This Keyboard HEAVY joint goes back into that "Heatwave Groove" that we LOVE!!!!! The "Heatwave Vocals" also adds to this FUNKY joint!!!!! The BUMP is BUMPIN' on this ONE!!!!!

"Ms. Wilder" and "Tommy Gilliard" brought the Band the tune, "Where Did I Go Wrong"....This one brings the Band back to those GREAT Slow Jams that they were known for...."Johnnie" is again giving us Vocal LESSONS, while the Groove gives us a "Struttin' Down The Street" Vibe...PRICELESS!!!!!!

Well, even though this is a Ultimate Crown Jewel of an album, I don't think that it fair as well...I'm SORRY but I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY!!!!! I feel like EVERYONE here when they say that this album was VERY UNDDERATED and UNAPPRECIATED!!!!!! I know that there were other Genres (as I stated earlier) that were COMING UP, but in my opinion, there was ROOM for this album...

I am also guessing that maybe that's why "J.D. Nicholas" left after this...He would resurface 5 years later with "The Commodores", starting with their Classic HIT, "Nightshift", and became a PERMANENT Member of the Band....

Be that that as it may be, "Heatwave's", "Candles" has FOUND NEW LIFE in the World of Music!!!!!!!

Very underrated disco funk album. Some unbelievable jams on here at different tempos. Band is tight as hell

"Candles" is simply one of my favourite albums ever. I purchased the cassette at 17 (11 years ago) and it was at a special time for me...I just met someone and was becoming a man...the songs on this album introduced me to Heatwave proper. Sure I knew "Boogie Nights" and "The Groove Line" both of which are great songs. But this album...great, every track is great. "Candles" peaked at No. 29 on the British charts and 74 in the U.S. "Gangsters of the Groove" is a slick Temperton production that has sizzling synth and their trademarks harmonies in full gear. It also became a hit: No.19 in England and No.110 in America. "Jitterbuggin" is the fun stepper that followed it and peaked at 34 on the UK charts. Lyric: "we're goin' jitterbuggin, all through the night, jitterbuggin' tonight..." "Posin Til Closin" is a killer track, smooth as, and gets all disco friendly towards the end, has a good feel to it. Some funky bass playing and great lyrics in this one. "Dreamin You" IS dreamy. Delicious feel good disco soul that has an innocence that is missing from today's music. It is just a nice song, yet funky. Of the actual ballads, "All I Am" is beautiful, Johnnie's voice is soul at it's best and would be one you'd like to dance with someone special to. "Turn Around" is a solid, funky song, nice horns and bass that chugs along nicely. "Where Did I Go Wrong" is a throwback 50's type song that for me, is the albums low spot, but I don't dislike it, it's just not really my thing. "Goin Crazy" is another full on funk workout, with frantic strings darting in and out and atmospheric sounds goin' on...lets clap, lets clap, lets all clap...and "Party Suite" well, what a lot of fun that is, with it's great intro (it is my ringtone) and full on party vibe. Now we come to the crunch...

My tape broke! I wanted this album on cd for so long. I also bought "Hot Property" and I have to say I much more enjoy this album, probably because it is much more funky and disco than "Property". I heard it was on cd, but then it was out of stock. It seemed I would never own "Candles." But one day, on a net search, what was I to find but "Candles" with photos, notes and most excitingly, bonus tracks! Well when I got it, I was very impressed. The photos are great and it features detailed liner notes from Phil Ramone who produced and Derek Bramble who played on this album. Full discographical information. And the bonus tracks: "Wack That Ax", a funky little number that was b-side to "Gangsters of The Groove" and "Find Someone Like You", a pleasant little song, full of romance and dreaminess. Big Break Records have excelled themselves on this album, and made me rush out and buy "Hot Property" which is also well done by BBR. There is one further Heatwave release they have put out, "Current" from 1982, but I don't have that one yet, as 1982 is getting late for me. If you are a disco fan, who likes a bit of intelligence and FUNK in their music, you must own "CANDLES".