Tavares - Madam Butterfly (1979) [2012] CD-Rip

Pop fans who associate Tavares with "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" and the Bee Gees' "More Than a Woman" tend to think of it as a disco group. But Tavares' roots were Northern soul, and it was a classic Northern soul approach that first sent the Bostonians to the top of the R&B charts, not until Tavares' fourth album, Sky High!, did the quintet start to acquire a reputation as a disco act. With 1979's Madame Butterfly, Tavares seemed to be going out of its way to live down its disco reputation. The material is straight-up Northern soul, and nothing on this hell bent for R&B album is as disco-minded as "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" or "More Than a Woman." If you notice that much of Madame Butterfly is very Philadelphia-sounding, it's no coincidence, this excellent LP was produced by Bobby Martin, a Philadelphian who was highly regarded in Philly soul circles. Anyone who has spent hours and hours listening to the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and the Intruders should have no problem getting into solid offerings like "My Love Calls," "Straight from the Heart," and the major hit "Never Had a Love Like This Before." If, in 1979, you were hoping to hear Tavares performing a lot of disco, you were bound to find Madame Butterfly disappointing. But those who wanted Tavares to stick to pure, unadulterated northern soul agreed that working with Martin was a very wise move.


Tracks:

01. Straight From Your Heart (04:27)
02. Games, Games (04:33)
03. Madam Butterfly (04:33)
04. Let Me Heal The Bruises (04:26)
05. Never Had A Love Like This Before (04:36)
06. One Telephone Call Away (04:25)
07. My Love Calls (05:10)
08. Positive Forces (:02:58)
09. I'm Back For More (02:59)

Bonus Tracks:
10. Never Had A Love Like This Before (US Capitol 12'' Single) (05:59)
11. Never Had A Love Like This Before (US Capitol 12'' Single - Instrumental) (05:53)
12. Straight From Your Heart (US Capitol 7'' Single) (03:46)