专辑简介

by Jason Elias

The Sylvers were one of the better family groups and R&B acts of the '70s. While the group recorded a few tracks for MGM, the best of the era was Foster Sylvers's "Misdemeanor." Signed to Capitol, the group teamed with producer Freddie Perren and the hits came in short order, ranging from "Boogie Fever," "Hot Line," and the great "High School Dance." This is the second release for Casablanca. Disco Fever has the group not relying on the burgeoning skills of Leon Sylvers, but Giorgio Moroder, whom at the time was making major hits with Donna Summer. Not surprisingly, this style doesn't work too well for the Sylvers. In fact, disco this pronounced is usually reserved for artists without an identity or has-beens. The Sylvers didn't fit either classification. The first track, "Mahogany," is a souped up version of the Diana Ross classic, "Do You Know Where You're Going To." The idea would probably only work if it was Ross who did it. After that misstep, Disco Fever does attain some momentum. "Is Everyone Happy" more than adheres to the dancey atmosphere of the era, and has the humorous single or double-entendre "is everybody gay." Despite the happy feet, Disco Fever fires off one dud after the other. The hyper "Hoochie Coochie Dancin'" does has some nice vocal interplay and a potent horn arrangement but it's little silly. "Gimme Gimme Your Lovin'" and "I Feel So Good Tonight" are even worse. Despite the best efforts, the insistent 4/4 disco thud and poorly written songs make this less than essential.