Stronger Than Ever

Stronger Than Ever came out in 1982 when Rose Royce were past their commercial peak but it’s still a great example of up-tempo early 80s street soul. Their electric-funk tracks ‘Talk To Me’ and ‘Fire In The Funk’ were very prescient of the Minneapolis funk sound that Prince would develop and ‘Best Love’ and Still In Love’ blend poignant soul-strings with Funkadelic-style synth basses to perfection. A couple of slightly dated schmaltzy ballads notwithstanding, Stronger Than Ever stands up with their better-known work.