Ben E. King - Music Trance (1980/2005)

Ben E. King was one of the many artists who adapted his style to suit the times in the late '70s. King did have a big early disco hit with 1974's "Supernatural Thing." Music Trance was released in 1980 and splits the production duties between Bert de Coteaux and Mass Production. The De Coteaux tracks fare the best. Those who are familiar with them will appreciate the solid if not spectacular chemistry between the two. The title and "Touched by Your Love" have an unassuming and danceable manner. The total downer "You've Only Got One Chance to Be Young" has the phony "gotta dance" aesthetic that marred many a track of the period. The results are more mixed with Mass Production. The male gigolo anthem, "Hired Gun," has King singing surreal lyrics like, "I am the vendor of love." "Work That Body" is monotonous enough not to miss disco for a single minute. The ballad "Everyday" is a barely even there. The idea of King hitting the charts during this time was certainly doable. Music Trance proves that the concept was doomed by one too many duds.