Michael Cooper - Love Is Such A Funny Game & Get Closer (1987 & 1992) Lossless

As the former co-lead singer of Con Funk Shun, Michael Cooper has become accustomed to success as an artist. With the release of his debut solo album, the results are no different. Love Is Such a Funny Game features a variety of rhythms. On November 4, 1987, Cooper released his debut single "To Prove My Love." Produced and written by Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy, and Jay King, the dance single sailed its way up the Billboard R&B charts to the Number Three position. Cooper chants his way through the verse and displays his falsetto in the chorus and bridge, something he rarely did while with Con Funk Shun. Cooper then slows down the rhythm with "Dinner for Two." With its thumping bassline, sax intro, and silky background vocals, Cooper is able to unwind vocally with his authoritative yet passionate tenor. Produced by bandmates Felton C. Pilate II, Ron Everette, and Cooper, the single peaked at number 24, but warranted a better outing. Other notable singles featured on the album are "Quickness," "Look Before You Leave," a remake of the Carole King classic "You've Got a Friend," and the title track. Overall, Cooper creates a new sound and image for himself, but manages to retain the appeal that made Con Funk Shun so popular.

Get Closer is the third solo offering by ex-Con Funk Shun vocalist / guitarist Michael Cooper. His previous set Just What I Like had the ballad gem My Baby's House and even much better on the new album is a track titled Gotta Get You Undressed: a stylish slice of jazzy soul with some tasty jazz guitar and trumpet playing. There's also an instrumental version of the same (titled Love Games). Musically like J.T. Taylor meets Ronny Jordan; delicious!

The ballad duet with Vann Johnson is also classy, but otherwise there's little to boast about. The update versions of Ohio Players' Skin Tight and Con Funk Shun's Fun, Fun, Fun are pretty mundane and the typical swingers are even less interesting.