Search - James Wells :: The Best Of James Wells: My Claim To Fame

A Classic Is Back In Stock And Better Than Ever!

Daniel Goss | Skokie, Illinois USA | 07/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Continuing the momentum established by his stable of other artists (Seventh Avenue, Evelyn Thomas, Barbara Pennington, etc.)producer Ian Levine and fellow writer/arranger Fiachra Trench work their magic on Mr. James Wells. In a side note James Wells was NOT part of Mr. Levine's original cache of Chicago artists like Thomas, Pennington, and L.J. Johnson. This compact disc follows the "formula" popular at the time, high energy (120+ bpms), pre-mixed songs (blended together), catchy vocals, great instrumentation (actually played by musicians) and club length recordings. All this added up to a number one (on the dance charts) album. Of the four cuts on this offering the stand out hits were: "True Love Is My Destiny" and the title track "My Claim To Fame". Both of which were remixed on a 12" "club-only" release. This compact disc contains the longer versions and are digitally remastered (for that "clear as a bell sound"!). Unfortunately Mr. Wells follow up did not fair as well on the charts, perhaps due to the timing of the disco-backlash that started around 1980. However in the mid-1980's James (along with his wife, Susan) hit the british charts once again. Most notably with the smash "R.S.V.P.". A few 12" singles preceded and followed but as of the dawn of the 1990's Mr. Wells seems to have diasppeared from the musical landscape. Too bad that there's not a market today for such a talented performer, however through the magic of rereleasing and Hot Productions you can once again know what James Wells' "Claim To Fame" was!"

VERY POOR QUALITY

Ivan A. Rodriguez | New York City, New York United States | 11/20/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"While this is a "Bargain" CD it's really not worth the price.



The CD is mastered very poorly and the songs are all radio versions. There has yet to be a definitive CD on Mr. Wells and only "Hot" productions has released material on him.



Hot productions CD's tend to have very poor quality and as of late are releasing CD's that are transferred from vinyl!



Not worth the money."