With a lineup consisting of Augie Johnson, Louis Patton, Gregory Matta and Sylvia Nabors (the first of its four female vocalists),
Side Effect showed some promise on this self-titled debut album. The LP was produced by trombonist Wayne Henderson, who seemed like the ideal producer for the group. Best known for his years with the Crusaders/Jazz Crusaders, Henderson had strong soul and jazz credentials, so he was a very logical choice for a group whose goal was to bring bebop-influenced harmonies to soul and funk. Although not remarkable, this album is decent. When
Side Effect dives into the catchy funk of "Baby Love (Love You Baby)" and "What the Heck, Let's Discotheque," plus the silky ballad "Oh, Baby," you can hear how much potential the group had. ~ Alex Henderson