Standing at the Crossroads

by Evelyn Thomas

Overview

Though it's only eight tracks long, Standing at the Crossroads can become long-winded due to the relative same-soundingness of each of its up-tempo club numbers -- most registering from seven to eight minutes in length. There are a couple of enjoyable numbers, like the fun "Cold Shoulder" and the quirky "Sorry Wrong Number," but on the whole, the material is subpar. Whereas writers and producers Ian Levine and Fiachra Trench had crafted a soulfully pop, funkily melodic brand of distinction on Thomas' albums,I Wanna Make It on My Own and High Energy, there is an over-exerted blandness to the material here. Cliched background vocals and thinly veiled programming are substituted for the fuller arrangements that graced the aforementioned albums. At times, it's due to Levine and Trench being over-conscious of trends; but sometimes, they're simply stumped for ideas. Even Thomas sounds sleepy and strained on the weaker numbers. Standing at the Crossroads was originally released in 1987 as the follow-up to High Energy, but has since been reissued by Hot Productions on CD. Though the set holds appeal for true Thomas connoisseurs, more casual fans are better off seeking the 12" singles for "Sorry Wrong Number" and "Cold Shoulder," if they can locate them. ~ Justin M. Kantor

Product Details

Release Date:	01/19/2015
Label:	Essential Media Mod
UPC:	0894232308023
Rank:	9161

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Evelyn Thomas   Primary Artist,Vocals
Nigel Jenkins   Guitar
George Chandler   Chant
Mike Page   Saxophone
Morris Michael   Guitar
Nick Glennie-Smith   Synthesizer,Piano
Charlie Morgan   Drums
Tessa Niles   Vocals (Background)
Shirley Lewis   Vocals (Background)
Steve Pearce   Bass
Luis Jardim   Percussion
Steve Sidwell   Trumpet
Marilyn David   Vocals (Background)
Dee Lewis   Vocals (Background)
John Kirby   Vocals (Background)
Linda Allen   Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Helms   Chant
Stan Sulzmann   Saxophone
Jimmy Chambers   Chant
Fiachra Trench   Piano,Synthesizer,Musical Director
Jamie Talbot   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Francis Loney   Photography
Graham Dickson   Remixing
John Morales   Remixing
Mel Wesson   Programming
Ian Levine   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Craig Milliner   Mixing,Engineer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Adam Moseley   Engineer,Remixing
Fiachra Trench   Arranger,Composer,Producer