Girls are more fun (Ray Parker Jr.) (LP 3444)

Ray Parker Jr.  Sex And The Single Man (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1985) ***  

Ray Parker Jr.  Chartbusters  (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1984) *** 

Genre: Funk Pop 

Places I remember: Tron Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I'm In Love  

Gear costume:  One Sided Love Affair

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5

Active compensatory factors: I love Ray's smooth vocals when he was in Raydio and on his solo work, so, I'm even willing to chance my arm with a mid-eighties album with a dodgy title - Sex and the Single Man. My hopes weren't high but he's always worth a punt.

In this case my fears were realised for the most part - processed drums, synths, and compressed production. Ghostbusters and Prince overshadow these songs. I'm A Dog sounds like an outtake from Purple Rain with new vocals.

Where do they all belong? A compilation album like Chartbusters provides all the chart hits. All killer. And it includes Raydio hits.

Electronic Lover (Ray Parker Jr) (LP 526)

Ray Parker Jr Woman Out Of Control (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1983) ** 

Genre: Soul 

Places I remember: Hastings' Record Exchange

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I Still Can't Get Over Loving You

Gear costume: Woman Out Of Control 

Active compensatory factors: Ray Parker Jr with and without Raydio was a force in the seventies and eighties (Raydio broke up in 1981). Ghostbusters is of course what first comes to mind when his name comes up, but he's so much more than that mega-hit.

This is a very rewarding listening experience - Ray's smooth vocals and likeability, the sharp sounds (yes, of course it's dated but that's now part of the appeal) and the catchy tunes, all make Ray Parker Jr ripe for your reappraisal!

Where do they all belong? More Ray Jr to come when I cover  Raydio.