Hot Fun/Feel the Music

Released at the same time as Dayton/Cutie Pie, this two-for-one release from the U.K.-based Expansion label combines the third and fourth albums from Dayton: Hot Fun (Liberty, 1982) and Feel the Music (Capitol, 1983). Perhaps due in part to switching between labels that weren't among the best outlets for R&B, the group never gained much commercial traction, but they recorded a considerable amount of excellent sophisticated funk. Much of it can be heard here, including the standouts "We Can't Miss," "Meet the Man," "Out Tonight," and "The Sound of Music" -- the last of which stands up to anything driven by Leon Sylvers III (Shalamar, the Whispers, Dynasty) or Jacques Fred Petrus (Change, High Fashion, the B.B. & Q. Band). ~ Andy Kellman