Force

Personnel: Claydes Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion); Dennis "D.T." Thomas (vocals, flute, alto saxophone, keyboards, congas, percussion); Khalis Bayyan (vocals, alto flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, Clavinet, keyboards, ARP synthesizer, percussion); Robert "Spike" Mickens (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion); Otha Nash (vocals, trombone, valve trombone, tuba, percussion); Kevin Lassiter (vocals, Clavinet, keyboards, mini-Moog synthesizer, percussion); George "Funky" Brown (vocals, Clavinet, keyboards, drums, percussion); Robert "Kool" Bell (vocals, bass guitar, percussion); Beverly Owens, Cynthia Huggins, Renee Connel, Donal Boyce, Joan Motley (vocals); MFSB (strings).
Audio Mixers: Nils Salminen; Ronald Bell; Terry Rosiello.
Recording information: De-Lite Recorded Sound Studios, Phila, PA.
Arranger: Kool & the Gang.
The Force is no such thing, it's a mundane set where the group from Jersey never achieves what they were trying to obtain. It comes after their first run of hits and before their celebrated era which included super hits like "Celebration," "Too Hot," and others. You won't find any chart busters here "Slick Superchick" failed miserably, and rightfully so, it's a bad example of disco/funk with an undistinguish lead vocal. They try to emulate Earth, Wind & Fire on the embarrassing "Mighty, Mighty High." "Just Be True"-not the Curtis Mayfield classic-is a boring ballad, and the title track attempts to connect fusion with funk. While the musicianship is excellent, there's not a memorable song in the bunch. ~ Andrew Hamilton