Search - Colonel Abrams :: Best of

Classic, overlooked reissue

Michael Bayer | Baltimore | 05/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been waiting for this reissue for years. Although it's labeled as a "greatest hits" package, this is essentially a reissue of the Colonel's self-titled 1985 album on MCA, (featuring remixes of four successful dance singles: Trapped [re-recorded and remixed at least twice in the '90s], I'm Not Gonna Let [a top ten R&B hit in 1986], The Truth, and Over and Over), with two songs from his 1987 follow up. Abrams has an intense vocal style similar to Teddy Pendergrass, and this album features his best material. Few artists have mastered the mix of R&B and dance quite as well since then."

Great artist deserves a better compilation

Andrew | Boston MASS | 07/14/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Colonel Abrams was the artist in the 80's for 'those in the know'. He was big in R&B circles but never really crossed into the mainstream (which must have been due to promotion as he was talented enough!). I was glad to see this compilation, as in record stores it was hard to find a CD that included all of his work that I remembered listening to on the radio, and hearing in clubs. Here is why I don't give the CD 5 stars: the mixes aren't that great. Perhaps I am a product of New York radio, but I remember stronger versions out there of songs like 'Speculation', and I was dissapointed to learn that they weren't what was placed in this CD."

5 Full 12" mixes make it a great buy.

K. Eisenberger | Defiance, Ohio United States | 04/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was always curious about the music of Colonel Abrams since I began keeping track of the Billboard Club Chart in late 1986. In 1987 Colonel Abrams went to number one for 2 weeks with "How Soon We Forget" and I have always wanted a copy on cd. This collection has 5 full 12" mixes on it. Colonel Abrams has 4 number one dance records on the Billboard charts :"How Soon We Forget","Trapped" and "I'm Not Gonna Let You" plus his other chart topper was listed as Colonel Abrams (LP). The voice is a mixture of Teddy Pendergrass and Johnny Gill.The collection also highlights some of his ballads as well. But the main reason to by is the 12" dance mixes. In a time when club music got played on black radio this is a time I wish still coninued today. The 12" mixes for "The Truth" (7:50),"Trapped" (6:30),"I'm Not Gonna Let You" (6:50--absolutely incredible),"How Soon We Forget"(7:49-early chicago type house mix) and the mid tempo club hit-#46-"Over And Over" (6:22) are worth the price. "Speculation" was a club single but no 12" was included. Cd runs around 63 minutes long. Great 80's dance music."