As
Cameo rode both the critical and commercial success resulting from their debut,
Cardiac Arrest, Chocolate City took the group straight from the road and right into the studio to record its follow-up. Because of this, the overall quality of
Ugly Ego suffers mildly. It's uneven at points, but this easily could be attributed to erratic song sequencing, something that thankfully can be rectified in the digital age by the custom programming button. The band was developing its definitive sound at this point -- the sound later heard on
Secret Omen that would usher
Cameo from being just another funk band to funk overlords. The uptempo "Insane" would later go on to be a fan favorite, and the slower moments found on "Give Love a Chance," "Friend to Me," and "Two of Us" prove that
Cameo were more than just a good-time party band, but serious soulful balladeers when the time was appropriate. ~ Rob Theakston