B.T. Express ‎– Energy To Burn (1976, Vogue)

Media VG+
Sleeve VG

Format : LP
Cat N° : LDA. 20213
Style : Funk, Disco

“Energy to Burn”, le troisième album de B.T. Express, a marqué leur passage chez Columbia et l’arrivée du claviériste Kashif en 1976. Malgré le succès ultérieur de Kashif en tant que producteur et compositeur, cet album reflète le style brut funk-disco du groupe. Mené par la chanteuse Barbara Joyce pour la dernière fois, l’album offre des titres hypnotiques comme “Can’t Stop Groovin’ Now” et “Wanna Do It Some More”. Bien que la reprise de “Now That We’ve Found Love” soit moins inspirée, “Energy to Burn” demeure l’un des albums les plus solides de B.T. Express.

B.T. Express’ third album, “Energy to Burn,” marked significant milestones as their debut on Columbia Records and the introduction of keyboardist Michael Jones, also known as Kashif. However, Kashif’s later fame as a producer and songwriter in the early 1980s, especially for Evelyn “Champagne” King, contrasts with the raw funk-disco style of this 1976 release. Lead singer Barbara Joyce’s final album with the band, “Energy to Burn,” showcases B.T. Express at their best, delivering hypnotic funk-disco tracks like “Can’t Stop Groovin’ Now,” “Wanna Do It Some More,” “Depend on Yourself,” and the title song. The album’s standout is the unconventional “Herbs,” blending B.T. Express’ funk-disco with reggae influences. Despite a less inspired cover of Gamble and Huff’s “Now That We’ve Found Love,” romantic ballads weren’t the band’s forte. Overall, “Energy to Burn” remains one of B.T. Express’ strongest albums.