Bartz

After 1978's occasionally gorgeous Love Song and often sluggish Love Affair, saxophonist Gary Bartz linked with frequent session associates and production duo James Mtume and Reggie Lucas. Mtume/Lucas had transitioned away from soul-jazz to straight soul/R&B, with Roberta Flack, Phyllis Hyman, and Stephanie Mills as some earlier beneficiaries. Add Howard King (drums), Hubert Eaves III (keyboards), Tawatha Agee (vocals) -- this is an Mtume-the-group album in all but name. Carrying much more rhythmic oomph than either 1978 Bartz date, the album's clear-cut highlight is "Keep Goin' On" (a Tawatha showcase), but "Need Your Love" and "Music" (where you can hear Eaves revving up for "D" Train) are also bound to move those who love all other late-'70s/'80s Mtume and Mtume/Lucas-produced albums. ~ Andy Kellman