The Brothers Johnson - Out Of Control (1984/2018)

Although they were nearly a decade on from their '70s heyday, the Brothers Johnson, with Leon Sylvers at the production helm, still managed to set a few grooves on fire among the heavy, heady crop of synthesized R&B that flooded the adult contemporary market. There's an interesting interplay between the strong bass and vocals, supported by a smattering of guitar and a markedly slow tempo, which ensured that the single "You Keep Me Coming Back" would power into the R&B Top 20. Much of Out of Control follows through with much the same attitude, with nary a true funk-fueled jam to be found. Some of the duo's original intent survives on "I Came Here to Party" and the title track, but such stompers are few and far between, merely filling space in between the ballads and soft soul numbers that dominate the set, leaving the smart "Dazed" to fall somewhere in between. Out of Control probably won't thrill the socks off the brothers' funk fans, but there are still moments that merit a closer listen. And despite the soft sonics that proliferate, the Brothers Johnson certainly proved they were worthy of their staying power, while so many of their peers fell soundly by the wayside.