Me and You (1981/82)

Throughout the early '70s, the Chi-Lites were one of the leading R&B and pop groups. But by the latter part of the decade, Eugene Record left the group for a solo career at Warner Bros. The Chi-Lites lost members, gained new ones, and did two albums for Mercury. This is the follow up to the group's 1980 Heavenly Body album that brought back the best incarnation of Record, Craedel Jones, Robert Lester, and Marshall Thompson. This effort was even more successful than its predecessor. During this time the group began to center on dancefloor material rather than heartfelt ballads. Since Record's ballads weren't great shakes at the time, it's a compromise his fans could live with. The best song on the album, "Whole Lot of Good Good Lovin'," is reggae tinged, filled with steel drums, great harmonizing, and Jones' bass runs. Like many people signed to Chi-Sound, remakes were in order. The Chi-Lites do a version of their classic "Oh Girl" here, but most of the longing had dissipated. The rollicking "Get Down With Me" has a good Stevie Wonder style bridge, as Record shamelessly says, "You're special effects are so real." His lascivious nature works even better on one track. The big hit, the smooth and kinetic "Hot on a Thing (Called Love)" has great, punchy horns. "Never Speak to a Stranger" is a dramatic and effective ballad where Record hits some nice falsetto notes. Me and You, produced by Record and Carl Davis is another strong effort from the group.