Review: “Something About You” by Angela Bofill (Vinyl, 1981)

Today’s Pop Rescue from a fate uncertain is the 1981 third album Something About You by American singer-songwriter Angela Bofill. Will this album be Something amazing, or should you be Holdin’ it Out for the trash man? Read on…

Angela Bofill - Something About You (1981) album. — Angela Bofill – Something About You (1981) album.

Side One of this 10 track LP opens with a drum fill of the titular and lead single Something About You. We’re soon dropped into a disco feel, via a dramatic is-Superman-about-to-appear moment. Angela’s soft vocals take the mic soon after against some funky guitar. Her vocal power and range simmers fantastically here.

That leads on to third single, although first to arrive in the UK, Break It To Me Gently. Sadly, the UK public were blunt with this break, and it failed to chart. Here, Angela makes light work of the song as it plods along, joined by synths and some emphatic strings. She also gets a really nice mid-section where the song builds up to some big notes which she delivers perfectly.

Next is On And On, which builds upwards courtesy of the strings and horn section, leading us to Angela returning with her higher vocals. This feels like a walk in the park for Angela, and she delivers its meandering verse ‘on and on’ with ease.

The sound of birds usher us into next song Tropical Love, which signals the first of two tracks penned by legendary writer Narada Michael Walden (who also plays drums and pianos, and produces this album). Here we have a song that is slick and richly layered with horns, percussion, strings, acoustic guitars and even a steel drum and flute solo. Whilst the melody in the verses might be wandering, the chorus does at least hold some form despite its breathless whispering vocals. The track sounds great musically, but far too loose.

You Should Know By Now closes the first side of the album and it brings us some luxurious strings and gentle hi-hats. This is a wonderfully slow and delicate song, that builds perfectly as Angela tackles each verse, leaving us with a dreamy ending as Angela fades off into the label.

Side Two opens with the bright flutes and drum fills of Only Love, and this gentle track is wonderfully summery, flittering about like the flute that plays throughout. By the end, Angela is even ‘la la la’ with her carefreeness. It’s a great start to side two.

Second single Holdin’ Out For Love is next and this gives us a really different sound to any of the other songs here. It’s got a thick and heavy bass, and a really catchy set of lyrics – especially the chorus. The track is of course, a cover of this time of a Cher track from 1979, and also for the Pointer Sisters who issued it as a b-side in 1981. Whilst Angela’s version received the highest charting of this Cyntha Weil co-written pop song, it still didn’t touch the UK charts.

That leads on to Stop Look Listen, a rich cover of the Stylistics track from 1971. Here, Angela gets to show off her vocals again in a very un-hurried way as the track gently shuffles along to sweeping strings. Angela throws her vocal range around with great ease, from tender to lovestruck desperate urgency. It’s a nice song.

I Do Love You is after that, and we’re treated to a nicely disco-tinged love song. The hand claps and bass works a treat alongside the catchy chorus, and even some saxophone solo time. The ‘buh buh de buh‘ mid section is a nice touch before returning to the chorus, and I found myself soon foot-tapping to this song. Excellent!

Then, oddly nestled in here, but not mentioned on the artwork is Three Blind Mice which lasts all of about 30 second before it’s gone. Yeah, thanks for that.

The album aptly closes with Time To Say Goodbye which as you might expect is a big orchestral ballad. Angela takes it in her stride giving us some soft and rich vocals once more. Here I’m reminded somewhat of Dina Carroll in the richness of the vocals.

Angela’s lead single ‘Something About You’ (1981).

Verdict

Over all, this album is and wonderful nod to disco, laced with some excellent vocals from Angela.

The album benefits from the rich production under the watchful eye of Narada Michael Walden, and the layers of instruments (including Randy Jackson on bass, and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion) which make each song feel warmth and almost naturally flowing with little effort.

Angela shines brightly in songs such as Holdin’ Out For Love and I Do Love You which lead the way here, as well as Something About You, Break It To Me Gently and Only Love, and she is able to carry the lighter pop songs just as expertly as the slower numbers too. The album does have a couple of weaker moments (Three Blind Mice aside), and those are On And On (which feels like it goes on and on), and speaking of which, Tropical Love sounds like a 6 minute+ jam session where they didn’t really know what to ask Angela to do. Still, she carries it off well enough, ensuring that there’s no stinkers to be found here.

This is a great album, and one that the UK public sadly missed until its digital re-release decades later. Definitely give it a spin.