Heatwave – Current

Album Revolution #5:

Well....I am going to to be HONEST here...I don't know if I was right to have "Current" into "Heatwave's" Album Revolution...I just know because they were the Band that they were, I just DID IT!!!!

Still hanging with, "Johnnie Wilder Jr.", "Keith Wilder", "Ernest Berger", "William Jones", "Calvin Duke" and "Derek Bramble" (and adding Keyboardist "Keith Harrison" after "J.D. Nicholas" left), the Band wanted to STILL give us, THE GOOVE!!!!! That also helps with "Rod Templeton" Writing those Grooves!!!!! Producer, "Barry Blue" came back to the "Heatwave" Family as well!!!!!

Starting with "Lettin' It Loose", the Groove is STILL intact for the Band....I don't know if it is "Keith Wilder" or anyone of the guess Vocalist listed...But because it was Arranged by "Rod", it has that PURE "Heatwave" sound...

"State To State" has "Heatwave" sounding SET into the '80's....Again, I want to believe that "Keith" is the Lead Vocalist, but even my Liner Notes don't tell me, which is CRAZY!!!! It is BUMPIN' joint though....

Now "Look After Love" has the FAMILIAR sound of "Johnnie Wilder Jr." on Lead Vocals on a Mellow Slow Jam...Even though his Vocals are not as strong because of his TRAGIC Car Accident, it was SORELY WELCOMED!!!!!

"Naturally" pulls us into the "Heatwave '80's Groove"....Again, because "Rod" is on the Keyboards, they have that HEAVY effect on the Groove....Again, I have no idea who is on Lead Vocals...(Ok, Guys, if You Guys know, PLEASE let ME KNOW!!!!!)

"The Big Guns" goes into the ORIGINAL "Heatwave" BLUEPRINT!!!! Even though it is an Instrumental joint (with Vocal ad-libs), it is a VERY FOCUSED "Heatwave Groove"....At times it has "Jazz" Vibes, and maybe that's because it has Jazzman and "Fusion" MASTER, "Herbie Hancock" on "Synthesizer" helping out...It also has ONE of the BEST Keyboardist EVER in "Greg Phillinganes" (this DUDE WORKED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY!!!!!)....I am guessing that they were there because of "Rod's" association with the "Q", "Quincy Jones"......

"Find It In Your Heart" is a nice BOUNCY Groove....It STILL has that steady "Heatwave Groove", even though, again, I am not sure of the Lead Vocalist....At times it sounds like "Johnnie", but then I realize that I'm just not sure.....

"Hold On To The One" would be the VERY LAST Groove that "Rod Templeton" gives to his "Heatwave" Brothers....It is a SPANKIN' Groove, with SERIOUS Bass and BUMP factor!!!!! Again, the Lead Vocals are a MYSTERY!!!! (Again, if You Guys Know, PLEASE EDUCATE ME!!!!)

"Mind What You Find" (Written by member "Derek Bramble") is giving us the VERY LAST "Johnnie" Lead in "Heatwave" HISTORY!!!! It is Very Mellow Groovy Keyboard HEAVY joint.....This DEFINATELY FITS in the "Heatwave" "Groove Line" (Dad Joke!!!).....

And that's how this ENDS Folks!!!!!

This would be the last album with "Johnnie", as he would Retire from the Music Business, only to resurface from time to time with "Gospel" offerings...The rest of the Band would disband as well..."Rod" would CONTINUE his association with "Quincy Jones", as he would continue to give TERRIFIC joints to artist like "Michael Jackson"...."Keith" would come back around 1988 with a revamped "Heatwave" Band, Released an album called "The Fire", and continue as a Tour Act....

The 3 original "Heatwave" Brothers , "Johnnie", "Keith" and "Rod" made such a LASTING impression on us Musically!!!!! "Johnnie" would leave us in 2006, "Rod" would leave us in 2016 and "Keith" in 2017...I don't EVER BELIEVE that these PURE MUSIC BROTHERS EVER GOT THEIR JUST DUE!!!!!! "Boogie Nights" was even the inspiration named for the "Motion Picture" of the same name, Starring "Mark Wahlberg" ,even though they said it was not in the Movie (didn't see it so I have no idea).....

I always continue to pull out my albums...I don't think I EVER said it Publicly, but my Family and who ever knows me can see how MUCH I LOVE "Heatwave"!!!!! I guess I'm SAYING IT NOW!!!!!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The Big Guns ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

It's pleasing to see that this one has some fans. My favourite Heatwave album, cos it slams - especially "Lettin' It Loose" and "State to State".

I agree with Galaxy Explorer. I bought it for a few quid and it's one of the best purchases all year. Good early 80s boogie from start to finish. Love it. Shades of EWF in there!

HEATWAVE's CURRENT, what is the original pressing? The US or the UK?

A delectable slice of early-80s smooth soul/funk, and possibly the best Heatwave album. It has some nice electronics and rhythm guitar, and some great harmonies, especially on the last track. My favourite track is probably "Big Guns," another Rod Temperton classic. Makes you wonder how different this genre would have been without him. Great album.