The Brothers Johnson's fifth album was the first not to be produced by
Quincy Jones, the brothers taking the production reins themselves. Perhaps uncoincidentally, it marked the start of a severe commercial downturn for the act, with the album just edging into the pop Top 50, although it did make number ten on the R&B charts. "The Real Thing" was also an R&B hit. But despite some mild experimentation with the insertion of hard rock guitar licks into "I Want You" and "Hot Mama," as well as an unusual album closer in "Daydreamer Dream" (featuring
Louis Johnson's then-wife
Valerie Johnson on vocals and originally recorded by contemporary Christian group
2nd Chapter of Acts), it was not destined to be remembered even by many
Brothers Johnson fans. You wouldn't think it was a minor effort in their catalog from the 2011 CD reissue, however, which has extensive illustrated liner notes with plenty of quotes from George Johnson. It also adds five bonus tracks, including the four new songs they recorded for the 1982 album Blast! (which otherwise featured five previously available hits) and the 1982 B-side "Echoes of an Era." ~ Richie Unterberger