Let the Music Play Dazz Band Artist

Having already released two albums to little fanfare on {|20th Century|}, under their original name {|Kinsman Dazz|}, 1980-1981 saw the band shorten their name, sign to {|R&B|} powerhouse {|Motown|}, and come back with the near-total reinvention of {... Read more

Having already released two albums to little fanfare on {|20th Century|}, under their original name {|Kinsman Dazz|}, 1980-1981 saw the band shorten their name, sign to {|R&B|} powerhouse {|Motown|}, and come back with the near-total reinvention of {|Let the Music Play|}. Bucking the early-'80s trend of synthesizing absolutely everything, {|the Dazz Band|} kept their music flowing around the more traditional {|funk|} trappings of exquisitely elastic basslines and brightly crafted horns. Keys were introduced only to make a sonic point -- they work to their best advantage on the rambunctiously quirky {|Freaky Lovin',|} and the mid-tempo moves on the title track. {|Don't Stop,|} meanwhile, only adds to the upbeat energy with its snappy bass-driven danceability. The rest of the set, however, is dedicated to a softer, smoother, vocally focused {|R&B|} style that is spread liberally across {|What Will I Do Without You,|} {|This Time It's Forever,|} and {|I Believe in You.|} {|Knock Knock,|} the best of the bunch, emerged as {|Let the Music Play|}'s sole charting single, reaching the Top 50 in August. Patchy in places, and leaning more heavily on a bland, soft style than the band needed, it's obvious that {|the Dazz Band|} were stretching their wings and finding the groove that would keep them in heavy chart rotation through the entire decade. ~ Amy Hanson Less