Heatwave - Hot Property (2010, Japan)

Heatwave's third album, Hot Property, marked the first time one of their records wasn't produced by Barry Blue; instead of using Blue, the band went with Phil Ramone this time out. Hot Property isn't quite in a class with Too Hot to Handle or Central Heating, and its main single, "Eyeballin'," isn't the disco-era anthem that "The Groove Line" became. Nonetheless, the album has a lot going for it. Once again, Heatwave are as convincing on up-tempo numbers as they are on slower material. "Eyeballin'" (not to be confused with the Mass Production song), "Raise a Blaze," and "One Night Tan" are infectious examples of the type of smooth funk that Heatwave did so well, while "That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight" and the Stylistics-influenced "First Day of Snow" demonstrate that the band were equally appealing on romantic ballads and slow jams. To their credit, Heatwave weren't afraid to bring jazz and Latin influences to their R&B foundation: "Therm Warfare" and "Razzle Dazzle" are funk-dance numbers with jazz overtones, while the exuberant "Disco" contains hints of Brazilian music. If you already have Too Hot to Handle and Central Heating in your collection, Hot Property is the next Heatwave album to acquire.