Kokomo - Kokomo (1982) [Remastered 2002]

U.K. jazz-rock band Kokomo's self-titled 1982 Columbia album was produced by Chicago soul stalwarts Leo Graham and James Mack (Tyrone Davis, the Manhattans). "A Little Bit Further Away" sounds similar to the Mack-arranged ballad hit "How Bout Us" by Champaign. The LP follows in the same mellow pop/soul mode as that number except for the smooth dance tracks "Stuck in the Groove" and "Aint Never Heard the Boogie." Standouts are the mid-tempo groover "Let Me Have It All" and the pleasantly poppy "Part-Time Affair." Kokomo became a post release favorite with U.K. Northern soul fans.