Inner Life

Inner Life II was the New York-based studio group's best album. Produced by guitarist/songwriter Stan Lucas, it yielded some of the group's most enduring material. It's also a real treat for Jocelyn Brown fans, as she does lead vocals on all of the cuts Leroy Burgess co-wrote, and she sang and played keyboards on the uplifting "Moment of My Life," which tells of spiritual redemption. Brown really went to "cherch" on that one. The tight rhythm section of Burgess, bassist James Calloway, and drummer Sonny Davenport is featured on the track. It became an instant dance classic, receiving airplay on R&B and college stations. Its follow-up was the playful "I Like It Like That." The album version sounds different from the single and 12" versions -- like it was a different take, though it could just sound that way because of the clever mixing skills of Shep Pettibone. The ballad "Feel What I'm Feeling" almost rivals "Make It Last Forever" -- not the Keith Sweat hit -- from Inner Life in its sheer sensuality. The four-on-the-floor jam "Got to Find Me Somebody" is a rousing album closer. Originally issued in October 1982, Inner Life II was reissued on CD by both Salsoul and U.K. label Charly Records. [The expanded edition offers one bonus track: "Moment of My Life (12 " Version"] ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide