Although he is known today as a Hendrix tribute act, back in 1980 when this album was released he was known as an originals artist. In fact, record labels were falling over themselves to sign virtuoso guitar players – and Randy definitely is that. He actually composed 17 minutes of music for the movie Apocalypse Now.
The songs on offer here have more of an old school RnB vibe to them, with a heavy dose of Hendrix histrionics. Opening track, Champagne and Cocaine, is a monster of an opening track with a killer chorus and melody, but it’s the guitar that’s the star of the show as the intro and solos are epic. Watch What You Say opens with a great riff again, and there is a soul undercurrent to the tune with a nice melody – but it’s the solo that steals the song. Time Won’t Stop is an attempt at delivering a pop song with a heavy guitar. For me it works, but I love the guitar solo and it’s almost two different songs. The Side closes out with an amazing version of Sly Stones’ I Want To Take You Higher, and I guarantee this is the best version you will hear. Great groove and some killer playing. Randy really lets go on this track.
Side 2 opens up with my personal favourite track, Millionaire, with a great spacey riff and cool chorus, but once again it’s Randy’s playing that blows your mind. He should have been a lot bigger than he was. Dancin’ With Me has a very old school Aerosmith vibe, with a funkier vocal and the obligatory killer guitar. The album closes out with Don’t Pretend, and it’s a total vibe killer. After the blitz of the rest of the album, this song shouldn’t have been on this record as it takes away from what would have been a bonafide monster record.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
