Brown was a popular performer in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits that included "Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me" (the original version of which was recorded in his bedroom) and "Dance With Me".
When Peter Brown excelled in the 1970s and 1980s, he really excelled; "Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me?," "Fantasy Love Affair," "Overnight Sensation," and "Dance With Me" are disco-funk classics. But unfortunately, the Chicagoan didn't excel as often as he should have.
Brown's albums tend to be uneven and unfocused, and that's definitely the case with his second LP, Stargazer.
This 1979 release contains a few gems, including the passionate "It's Alright," the mysterious "Leadmeon," and the hell-raising hit "Crank It Up." But most of the tunes are merely competent.
Brown, who wrote or co-wrote all of the songs and produced Stargazer with Cory Wade, had the potential to record an album that was great all the way through. But Stargazer isn't such an album; it's a generally decent record, but Brown was capable of a lot more.
This is one of those releases that was sorely overlooked upon its initial release, probably being lost in the mass of other disco-themed albums of 1979.
Its "discovery" now is just rewards to fans of the genre as well as those that just like a consistent musical collection. One of the best tunes is the fun-filled "West of the North Star," a story song that fits perfectly in the era of "Star Wars" when space battles were comparable to the Old West and Brown's vocal tongue is perfectly in cheek with the song.
"Crank It Up" is pure rock funk to the max (though it was a big disco hit in it's 12" extended remix form), "Stargazer" is a top notch rock/pop power ballad, "Gotta Get The Show On The Road" is retro 60s soul rock, "Leadmeon" is great New Wave funk with a sleaze tempo (and my fave tune on the whole album), "Love In Our Hearts" is a nice soulful near Acapella tune and "Penguin" is a humorous nonsense tune with a miami funk sound (KC & The Sunshine Band like). It's a real shame this album didn't get more mainstream exposure in it's day. It belongs in everyone's collection, no matter what your genre preference is.
Side A
A1. Crank It Up (5:29)
A2 . It's Alright (Featuring – Dan Hartman) (6:38)
A3. Stargazer (4:35)
A4. Got To Get The Show On The Road (3:54)
Side B
B1. Leadmeon (5:25)
B2. West Of The North Star (3:41)
B3. Love In Our Hearts (3:50)
B4. Penguin (4:39)
Notes
Release: 1979
Genre: Disco / Funk
Format: LP
Label: T.K. Records
Catalog# TKR 83354
Vinyl: small user marks
Cover: small user marks
€ 5,00
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