Starship - The Essen

Audio Remasterer: Arnold Mischkulnig. Liner Note Author: Kevin Goins. Released by the Sony-supported Decision label, Starship: The Essential Selection covers Norman Connors' Buddah and Arista albums from 1975's Saturday Night Special through 1981's Mr. C. It's an imperfect selection. "Saturday Night Special" itself, a jaw-dropping cut that showcases songwriter/guitarist Reggie Lucas and saxophonist Gary Bartz, is unfortunately missing, but the silkier ground is thoughtfully covered. Connors directed a lot of the era's finest quiet storm ballads, including the R&B chart hits "Valentine Love," "We Both Need Each Other," "You Are My Starship," and "Melancholy Fire," all of which are here. There's also "Once I've Been There," as muscular and elegant as anything that came out on Philadelphia International, written and fronted by Prince Phillip Mitchell, as well as Aquarian Dream's Connors-produced "Phoenix." ~ Andy Kellman

• Genre: Pop
• RSD Date: n/a
• Format: CD
• Released: 09/02/2014