"Let It All Blow" by Dazz Band

Song#:  2140
Date:  12/01/1984
Debut:  95
Peak:  84
Weeks:  7
Genre:  R&B, Electro-Funk



Pop Bits:  The two albums that followed their Grammy-winning #5 hit "Let It Whip" did fine at R&B with both getting to #12. Each LP also featured a #9 R&B single ("On the One for Fun" and "Joystick"). However, they just couldn't seem to crossover again to the Pop chart in a major way. Their third attempt came via their sixth album, Jukebox. To get things started, this first single was issued. Like their previous two #9 hits at R&B, this one also hit that same mark. Unfortunately, like their previous hits, it did not do well at Pop. It circled the lower quarter of the chart for a few weeks and then disappeared. It would be their last single to reach the Pop chart and their final one to reach the R&B Top 10. They would continue to record and get some songs posted on the R&B chart, but their peak days would start to wane after this single.

ReduxReview:  Armed with new technology that was certainly on display during the opening of this song, the band continued with their brand of funk for the 80s. This time, they decided to let the groove speak for itself and limited the vocals to just a few sections. Although it is a delicious groove full of 80s synth inflections and effects, the problem is that there is no real hook. It's quite fun to listen to, but without some kind of memorable hook, the tune ends up being forgettable.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Like "Let It Whip," this song was co-written and co-produced by Reggie Andrews. Andrews, who worked behind the scenes and was not a band member, had been working with the band since their debut LP in 1980. He stepped into the producer's role with their third album and guided their biggest seller, Keep It Live, which featured "Let It Whip." He would continue to work with the band through to the Jukebox LP, which would be his last with them. Andrews attempted his own career in the mid-70s. He joined up with the R&B/fusion group Karma. That band would sign with Horizon Records (an A&M label) and issue two LPs in 1976 and 1977. Their first album, Celebration, would include their only significant hit, the #10 Dance track "Funk de Mambo." After two albums with little results, the band broke up and Andrews turned to studio work. Soon he would hook up with the Dazz Band.

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