House Party

This self-produced and arranged 1980 set from trombonist Fred Wesley is a laid back funk and soul album from an artist that resolutely refused to get on the disco train, preferring to update the funk template via unhurried 4/4 beats and slick production. It’s accessible, light-hearted, tightly-played, mostly dance floor material, with Wesley on lead vocals as well as trombone. In 1980 digital technology was entering recording studios and this album does a good job of blending synths, drum machines and live instrumentation.