Future Bound

Released in 1978, Future Bound was the third album that Freddie Perren produced for Tavares and was the group's sixth album overall. Once again, Perren sees to it that Tavares provides a healthy blend of up-tempo dance numbers and romantic soul ballads. Those who savored "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" shouldn't have a problem getting into exuberant disco-soul items like "Slow Train to Paradise," "The Ghost of Love," and Tavares' hit version of the Bee Gees' "More Than a Woman" (which was available on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack several months before Future Bound came out). Meanwhile, "Feel So Good" and "All I See Is You" are caressing Northern soul ballads that would have fit right in on a Stylistics, Delfonics, or Moments album. What was true of 1977's Love Storm is true of 1978's Future Bound: It falls short of essential but is a pleasing, likable LP nonetheless. ~ Alex Henderson