Teddy Pendergrass – TP

Album Revolution #5: 1980...New decade...And???? That meant absolutely nothing to "Teddy Pendergrass"!!!! Ever since his solo debut in 1977, "Teddy" was flying so high on success, and it seemed like nothing could stop him!!!! So by 1980, "Teddy" seemed to be ready to spread his wings from under "Kenny Gamble" & "Leon Huff"....His plan was not to leave them out completely (that would be crazy!!!!)...."Teddy" just wanted to work with other producers and even try to produce himself.....His ambitions would pay off with his fifth album simply entitled "TP" (another Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel)...Starting the experiment is his version of the "Nickolas Ashford" and "Valerie Simpson" classic "Is It Still Good To Ya"...Also produced by the Producing Giants, "Teddy" once again proves that his Roaring Vocals can wrap around anything!!!! Even though it started off slow (just like his "Teddy" album), it was still the perfect album opener (I know that sounds strange coming from me!!!!)....Don't worry though, it didn't stay slow for long...The next offering was "Take Me In Your Arms Tonight", featuring the one and only "Stephanie Mills"...Produced by "Mr. Life on Mars, Dexter Wansel", "Take Me In Your Arms Tonight" was a Dancefloor dream, with both "Teddy" and "Stephanie", blending their perfect styles together....This was a surprise gem, because it came after the "Disco Sucks Movement"...."I Just Called To Say" (Produced by "Dexter Wansel and "Cecil Womack"), was a very nice unsung jem, with great Horns, Guitars, and "Teddy" just laying it out!!!! I have no idea if "Can't We Try" was a single, I just know it was constantly on the radio!!! This "Teddy" produced Slow Jam (with Background Vocals by "The Jones Girls"), was a straight up tear jerker!!!!, outlining the Drama of losing Love!!!!! The second side starts with an outstanding version of the "Peabo Bryson" classic, "Feel The Fire"..."Teddy" (along with "Dexter Wansel", and again duets with "Stephanie Mills") produced a pure Slow Jam Gem here...There was another version for "Stephanie's", "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" album, without "Teddy's" Vocals...Sorry guys, but I like the duet version better!!!! "Girl You Know" (written and produced by "Ashford & Simpson") was really the only dud of the album...It's not terrible, it just doesn't measure up to the other songs....Now, let's talk about the classic of all classics in "Love TKO"!!!!! This Bass heavy, Rhythm Guitar drivin' joint has been sampled over and over again!!!!! The song that benefited the most by this classic was, "Back In The Day" by the "Hip Hop" artist "Ahmad"....The album ends with the perfect closer in "Let Me Love You" (produced by "Gene McFadden", "Jerry Cohen" and "John Whitehead").....I don't know what made me go crazy more, the Guitar or the Keyboards!!!!! They both surrounded "Teddy's" Roaring Vocals perfectly, but the cap off, was the fanstastic almost minute long Keyboard finish by "Jerry Cohen"...This Slow Joint was unlike anything "Teddy" has ever done!!!! Period!!!!! Well, that puts another cap on "Teddy's" fifth consecutive great album...Once again, if just seemed like "Teddy" just could not be stop...Of course, we know that wasn't true, because, soon things would change drastically after this but not because of his talent.....I won't get ahead of myself...Let's just say for the time being, that "Teddy" performed another classic here!!!!!!!!

Track A2 Take Me In Your Arms Tonight, is a duet featuring Stephanie Mills.