This is the third volume from the popular compilation series that offers a mix of smooth R&B tracks from the '70s and '80s. While this doesn't have the cohesion of the previous offerings, the Volume 3 songs do all have a similar easygoing, slow burning rhythm. While there are no doubt licensing concerns and subjective picks, this does a good job at juggling lesser-known tracks with album cuts from established artists. The first track, Shirley Murdock's "As We Lay," skillfully mixed synth-based minimalism with her evocative ...
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This is the third volume from the popular compilation series that offers a mix of smooth R&B tracks from the '70s and '80s. While this doesn't have the cohesion of the previous offerings, the Volume 3 songs do all have a similar easygoing, slow burning rhythm. While there are no doubt licensing concerns and subjective picks, this does a good job at juggling lesser-known tracks with album cuts from established artists. The first track, Shirley Murdock's "As We Lay," skillfully mixed synth-based minimalism with her evocative vocal. "You're the Reason" from D Train starts off as an almost chaste song of devotion and then works up enough momentum to be a prime seductive track in its own right. Like the other sets, Volume 3's strength lies with the most obscure tracks. Mid-'70s songs "I Destroyed Our Love" and the masterful "Lonely One" both come from Special Delivery. The best of the rare tracks is Leroy Hutson's "So in Love." From its Fender Rhodes into, swirling strings, and his effortless light tenor, it's probably unknown to even devotees of the genre. Surprisingly, the better-known tracks sound out of place here. Smokey Robinson's "Baby Come Close" is more effective on the album it originally came from. Tavares' 1982 "Penny for Your Thoughts" is more pop treacle than romantic standard. The compilation closes with Switch's 1978 classic "I Wanna Be Closer" and it mixes well with the other work here. Although the sequencing is less than ideal, Slow Jams: The Timeless Collection, Vol. 3 offers great tracks that should be heard. ~ Jason Elias, Rovi
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