James Ingram - It's Your Night

A real party animal!!

I owned this album on vinyl back in the 80s. Then, I was on a quest to acquire all Quincy Jones produced albums (George Benson, Michael Jackson, The Wiz, Brothers Johnson) after he'd produced the brilliant (in my opinion) eponymous album for Donna Summer in 1982.

Coincidentally, James Ingram appeared on that album, as part of the all star chorus to "State of independence" as well as duetting on "Mystery of love", an experience he mentions in his album liner notes.

Opening is the funky falsetto-sung "Party animal" with rabble rousing backing vocals set to a thumping beat. Other upbeat songs are the Jazzy "Try your love again", the horn sprinkled big band Stevie Wonder-like "One more rhythm" (it always reminded me of "Sir Duke"), the midtempo title track (a huge smash at parties in Nigeria back then, as well as more recently at my cousin's 80s themed birthday party last month), and my favourite, the upbeat Gospel duet with Michael McDonald (they sound so alike, as a kid I couldn't tell their voices apart), "Ya mo b there" (excellent synths and piano riff, with Ingram's outstanding owl-like hooting). The latter was a US top 20 hit and won a Grammy for best R&B performance by a duo or group.

The rest of the album comprises ballads, Ingram's forte; The awesome piano ballad "She loves me (the best that I can be)" (this song just absolutely speaks to me), "There's no easy way", and the simply outstanding duet with Patti Austin; "How do you keep the music playing". This sweeping cinematic piano ballad (it was used in a movie, "Best friends") features outstanding yearning vocals from the pair.

As with other albums produced by Q, the album is produced to a gleaming sheen with nothing left to chance. I'm glad I finally found this CD, it's almost like 1983 all over again... August 14, 2008

Well worth the long trip!

When this album came out I was a very young child. One day I found a copy of this on cassette and, decided to hear it for myself. Somewhere between the soothing music and the powerful vocals after hearing this I knew this was the cd worth going for. When I saw the high price on the internet, I didn't feel like paying that much so, I decided to make a few calls to any new and used music stores I could think of within a certain area. Most of these stores nearby did not have a copy of it except for a store in an uptown part of the city which had it for a very reasonable price. So the next day I decided to take the two bus trip all the way down there and, I still remember the two girls who were giving me the eye. Needless to say when I got there I didn't hesitate to buy this cd especially, with songs like One More Rhythm (the main song that made me want to buy this disc) Whatever We Imagine and, Yah Mo B There this is a true classic. It proves that sometimes such great music by an incredible artist can be overlooked. It's three years later and whenever I listen to it I still think it was definitely worth it. June 16, 2008

For die-hard fans and avid collectors only?

Most folks will probably know of James Ingram through the tunes "Just Once" and "One Hundred Ways", his Grammy Award-winning performances on Quincy Jones's 1981 album The Dude. The man has a phenomenal voice. It beggars belief that he didn't go on to become the massive star we all expected he would.

This was his debut album, released in 1983 and naturally Quincy Jones was behind the boards. I've had it on cassette for years and simply had to get it on CD, no matter the cost. My tunes on here are the funky "Yah Mo B There", Ingram's duet with Michael McDonald, written by Ingram, McDonald, Jones and Rod Temperton; the glorious ballad "She Loves Me (The Best That I Can Be)", written by Brian Neary and James Photoglo; the earnest ballad "Whatever We Imagine"; the Rod Temperton-penned "One More Rhythm" (the only Temperton song on here, appallingly); and last but not least, the stunning ballad "How Do You Keep The Music Playing (Theme from "Best Friends")", his duet with Patti Austin. It's only my opinion but I think that Ingram is at his best when he's performing ballads.

Interestingly, it was the title track that took the university dancefloors by storm back in the day but it never really did anything for me.

There are a number of "Best Of" compliations floating around and they are probably better value for money than this is. While it's a quality set of soul/r&b songs, it didn't set the charts alight and I would argue that it's one is for die-hard fans and avid collectors only. I happen to be both :) May 17, 2008

A GREAT ALBUM THAT NEVER GOT ITS RIGHTFUL DUE!!

If you like the way Quincy Jones' production, then James Ingram's "It's Your Night," his first solo effort is for you. As some may remember, Mr. Ingram had won a Grammy for "Just Once" on Mr. Jones' great work, "The Dude."

Mr. Ingram is simply on top of his game on this Album. His interpretation of the songs is flawless. He seems to feel very once of emotion on "No Easy Way," She Loves Me" & "Whatever We Imagine." His duets with Michael McDonald from the Doobie Brothers "Yah Mo Be There" and Ms. Patty Austin "How Do You Keep The Love" are sublime.

The same tradition of great songs, great musicianship with smooth, silky production from Mr. Jones continues on this Album. Songs written & arranged by the usual suspects like Rod Temperton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil & David Foster all grace this work. If there is one weak spot, it might be "Party Animal." The song feels like it belongs to another Album.

Like another great Quincy Jones' production, Patti Austin's "Every Home Should Have one," James Ingram's "It's Your Night" never got the accolades it deserved. They seem like minor productions from Mr. Jones coming after the incredible success of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

However, this is one superb Album that would grow on you and you would not regret having; for the songs will stay with you for a very long time! April 16, 2008

Summer in San Diego, 1984

I remember this record very well I was in the Navy and at the time I was in Navy tech school in San Diego,my first time on the West Coast from Virginia, I would enjoy walking to the Tower Records which wasn't far from the Sports Arena. Once after a Clippers game (the old San Diego Clippers before the move to L.A...Rookie MVP Terry Cummings and Hall of Famer Bill Walton on his last tour) I ventured down to Tower and saw the display I had always enjoyed his work with Quincy Jones on the "Dude" and I was also a fan of his brother vocalist and percussionist Phillip Ingram who played in the Motown/Gordy records group "Switch". Well after buying the cassette tape my walkman was ready and loaded, I remember jogging and walking around Balboa Park playing this tape,it had a great mixture of duets for a debut album.(Micheal McDonald and Patti Austin) and the ballads on this record are well written and arranged(produced by Quincy Jones who discovered the vocal talents of Ingram) not to mention sung with a true soul defining attitude , this entire record totally blew me away(and this is coming from a guy who was raised as a teenager on Funkadelic,Ohio Players and Rashann Roland Kirk to name a few..)anyone who appreciates well sung soul music with meaningful lyrical content and strong production..you'll love it. After all these years this record still reminds me of my Navy years in San Diego 1984,at times it also reminds me of those gorgeous ladies who I had the oppurtunity too "turn on " to this fine music...life was fun, and damned I was young. November 5, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...