Narada Michael Walden had seen the light, and it was a swirling disco ball. The multi-talented Michigan native saw that the way to the top of the charts was by way of the dancefloor. For
The Dance of Life, the follow-up LP to his
Awakening ("I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)"),
Walden square took aim at "dancing feet." The result was that the effervescent "I Shoulda Loved Ya" went to number four on the R&B charts and mid-charted pop in late 1979, while the album broke the R&B Top Ten. Its follow-up was the bright, brassy Top 40 R&B hit "Tonight I'm Alright." Other highlights are the acid rock-ish "You're Soo Good," "Crazy for Ya," "Carry On," and the wistful ballad "Why Did You Turn Me On." ~ Ed Hogan