Narada Michael Walden ”Awakening”

Narada Michael Walden

”Awakening”
( LP Atlantic Records, 1979 )
Catalog # SD 19222

Tracklisting:
A1 Love Me Only (6:05)
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Patrick Adams
A2 I Don’t Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You) (4:24)
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Patrick Adams
A3 Give Your Love A Chance (4:11)
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Patrick Adams
A4 They Want The Feeling (3:58)
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Patrick Adams
B1 Awakening Suite Part I (3:28)
Mixed By – Alan Sides
Producer – Sonny Burke
B2 The Awakening (4:30)
Mixed By – Alan Sides
Producer – Sonny Burke
B3 Listen To Me (4:54)
Mixed By – Alan Sides
Producer – Sonny Burke
B4 Full And Satisfied (3:35)
Mixed By – Alan Sides
Producer – Wayne Henderson
B5 Will You Ever Know (4:59)
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Wayne Henderson
**BONUS I Don’t Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You) 12” Version (6:21)
Remixed by Issy Sanchez

Notes:
A-Side: Recorded at The Power Station, New York.
B-Side: Recorded at Cristal Sound, Los Angeles.
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1979

Review:
On Awakening, Narada Michael Walden placed aside the jazz fusion leanings of his early albums in favor of a more radio-friendly sound. The strategy worked, with Walden having his first Top Ten R&B single, “I Don’t Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You),” which also charted number 47 on the pop charts in early 1979 and Awakening breaking into the R&B Top 15. The follow-up single, the mid-tempo groover “Give Your Love a Chance” featured grand arrangements by Patrick Adams. Walden displays his hyperkinetic drumming skills on “They Want the Feeling.” Other standouts are “Love Me Only,” the beautiful radio-aired album track “Listen to Me,” and the tender “Will You Ever Know.”
By Ed Hogan (AMG)

By Pier