After Midnight (Expanded)

2014 remastered expanded edition of the1980 album by legendary soul band The Manhattans. The album has been suggested as one of the best albums The Manhattans have ever recorded. As the title suggests, it's the kind of record made for late night listening and features many beautiful love songs. The vocals here are sublime throughout as are the vocal harmonies and the record has a natural flow to it that makes it an easy album to relax with and makes you want to listen to the whole set before moving an inch. Shining Star is a gorgeous slow burner starter with a plaintive guitar riff that really gets into your head. Girl of My Dreams is also exquisite. Light and airy, it is full of musical and vocal space and thus has a kind of wistful 'upon the wind' feel to it. Cloudy with a Chance of Tears is classic Manhattans but the medley of If My Heart Could Speak & One Life to Live moves the pace up a fraction, before the best 'uptempo' song on the album arrives. It Couldn't Hurt is a mid-tempo classic with some nice percussion to give the single a 'groovy feel'. Lastly, the closing I'll Never Run Away from Love Again again evokes memories of the groups finest moments. With classy harmonies in the chorus and an outstanding Gerald Alston lead it provides a warm ending to a very fine chilled out soul record. If you like mellow soul then After Midnight is for you.