Imagination: Profile
Imagination were a trio from the U.K. that put a synthesized and often clubby spin on soul groups from the '70s. In fact, a couple of '70s groups have direct ties to Imagination; Leee John and Ashley Ingram spent time during that decade playing supportive roles in the Delfonics and Chairmen of the Board, prior to Imagination's formation. Along with drummer Errol Kennedy,
vocalist John and bassist Ingram formed the group in 1981. By the end of that year, they already had their first album released and a minor hit in the form of that album's title track, "Body Talk." The group's second album, 1982's In the Heat of the Night, was their most successful, spawning a trio of U.S. R&B chart hits in the form of "Just an Illusion" (number 27), "Music and Lights" (number 52), and "Changes" (number 46). Those singles were even more popular in their home country, with the first pair reaching the Top Five.
The remix collection Night Dubbing appeared the following year, as did the group's third proper album, Scandalous. The group's success fizzled until their mid-'90s breakup (at the time, Leee John was the only remaining original member), though 1984's "This Means War" was able to put a dent in the U.S. R&B chart. John remained active in the entertainment industry, hosting U.K. television programs and continuing his recording career as a solo artist and collaborator. Since the group's split, several compilations have been released;
Music Club's The Very Best of Imagination is the best place to start.
Album Review (c/o Allmusic)
his Very Best of Imagination, released in 2000 by the U.K.'s Music Club, is the best introduction to the clubby R&B group's work. Not to be confused with the 1998 release of the same title from BR, which is two-thirds the same selection-wise, this holds a slight edge over the several other Imagination anthologies with a smarter crop of inclusions. Like most of the other Imagination anthologies, this one concentrates on material from the group's first three albums, when they were at their peak both artistically and commercially. There are no glaring omissions, and all seven minutes of "So Good, So Right" are rightfully included, so this one gets the nod.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imagination - The Very Best of Imagination
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artist.............................: Imagination Album:..............The Very Best of Imagination Genre.......................: Disco / R&B / Funk Source......................................: CD Year......................................: 2000
Ripper: Exact Audio Copy V1.0 b1 & HP DVD RW AD-7701H
Codec...............................: LAME 3.98 Version......................: MPEG 1 Layer III Quality.......: Insane, (avg. bitrate: 320kbps) Channels....................: Stereo / 44100 HZ Tags...........: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3, APE v2,000
Information..: 2000 Music Club "Very Best Of" Compilation
Ripped by..............: BSW on 7/23/2011 Posted by..............: BSW on 7/23/2011 News Server...........: news.astraweb.com
News Group(s).: alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.metal.full.albums
Included......: NFO, SFV, M3U, LOG Covers.....................: Front
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tracklisting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Flashback [04:27] 2. Just An Illusion (12'') [06:25] 3. So Good, So Right [06:57] 4. Music And Lights (7'') [03:46] 5. Changes (7'') [04:09] 6. In The Heat Of The Night (7'') [03:58] 7. In And Out Of Love (Vocal) [04:05] 8. Soul Street (Jolley & Swain) [04:07] 9. Burnin' Up (Original 1981 Version) [04:45] 10. Tell Me Do You Want My Love [05:26] 11. Backtrackin' (Jolley & Swain) [04:41] 12. Heart 'N' Soul [03:58] 13. New Dimension [04:21] 14. Thank You My Love (7'') [03:28] 15. I Always Love You [03:53] 16. Body Talk (Vocal) [05:58]
Playing Time.................: 01:14:33 Total Size..................: 174.40 MB
NFO generated on.....: 7/23/2011 11:40:35 AM
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cat: MCCD 446
Label: Music Club
---------------------------------------------------------------------
:: Generated by Music NFO Builder v1.21a - www.nfobuilder.com ::
|