Gwen Guthrie

Like so much involving the Compass Point All Stars, this 1982 album was ahead of its time and massively set the tone for the sound of the rest of the 80s. It’s so simple in principle – post-disco funk given a modernist, digital production sheen and the sonic inventiveness of dub reggae – but the brilliance of the musicians, the productions and Guthrie herself’s rich voice and potent presence adds up to an act of inviting, deluxe world building. The sense of groove, too, is so etched into everything that this was vastly influential on all dance music that followed, partly through the patronage of culturally foundational NYC DJ Larry Levan who also remixed “It Should Have Been You” to perfection (featured on extended reissues of this album) and would go on to do the same with tracks from this album’s equally great follow up, Portrait.