Donna Summer was on a steady decline since 1984's Cats Without Claws. Her relationship with Geffen Records was already on the rocks, with her and head, David, continuing to not see eye to eye on the type of music she should, and would sing. While Summer wanted her next album to be more R&B influenced, the label once again demanded a mainstream pop sound.
Harold Faltermeyer, hot off his soundtracks for Fletch and Top Gun was brought in to produce, along with several other producers, what would become the tracks for All Systems Go. However, upon its completion, the executives at Geffen stated that they didn't hear any singles, a statement which shocked both Summer and Faltermeyer. The latter would state in a 2012 interview that at the time, Summer was considered an older artist, and this may have led to Geffen not really being interested in promoting her, focusing instead on younger acts. This statement would be backed up by label president Ed Rosenblatt, who would later admit, "The company never intended to focus on established superstars."
Prior to releasing the album, Geffen asked for one more track to be recorded, Dinner With Gershwin. While they wanted Faltermeyer to produce the song with writer Brenda Russell, he was already on to his next project, and unavailable. The song was completed with Russell and new producer, Richard Perry. It would become Summer's last R&B top ten hit and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at forty-eight. As a whole, All Systems Go would be the first album by Summer to fall short of the Top 100 on Billboard's album chart, peaking at 122.
The album starts on a solid foot with back-to-back tracks, All Systems Go, and Bad Reputation. However, from there, things quickly fall into mediocre territory, not coming back around until the first track of (what would be) side two (if not a CD), Dinner With Gershwin, and then taper off again until Voices Cryin' Out.
It's a bit of a shame, because with these aforementioned tracks being relatively solid, the potential was definitely there for better than what we got songs. However, this was probably a result of too many hands in the pot. Not only were there seventeen different writers for tracks, but also seven producers. That's way too many creative opinions, and it shows in how tracks don't flow together cohesively.
Sound wise, it's definitely a solid pop album. Quality wise, most of the songs are simply forgettable.
Despite hiring production trio, Stock Aitken Waterman, for her next album, upon its completion Geffen would shelve it, and part ways with Summer. Down, but not out, 1989's Another Place In Time, would ultimately be picked up by Warner Bros., and released in Europe. This move would prove to be one final hoorah for the artist, garnering her last top forty hit. What was that song? Well, you'll have to tune in tomorrow (or I suppose Google it if you can't wait) to find out.
Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.
Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.
No comments:
Post a Comment