Renewing a partnership with Brass Construction's Randy Muller that was forged when the two played in the early-'70s group Panharmonics, Rafael Cameron released his solo debut on Salsoul in 1980. Backed by an uncredited Funk Deluxe (the instrumental alias of funk band Skyy, who were also produced by Muller), Cameron unleashed an exuberant, joyful fusion of funk underpinned by disco-inflected soul. Cameron brought a vivacity to the genre that had been missing in the onslaught of sub-disco bands that had glutted the marketplace. Both Magic of You, which gave Cameron a Top 20 hit, and Together are lengthy dance grooves, divided into movements that break the pace but keep the flow. Funkdown, meanwhile, is a throwback to classic funk that would have been as at home in the early '70s as it is here. It also lets both Cameron and Funk Deluxe really strut their stuff. But despite Funkdown's brilliant edge, it was the heavily disco-fied Let's Get It Off that became a club hit, as much for its subtle raunch as for its effortless, spangly beats. But Cameron wasn't done yet, and proved he was as easy on the downbeat as the up, rounding the whole thing out with the marvelous, tender ballad Feelin's, which landed him a third hit. The only problem with this outstanding LP is one of timing. Cameron slid this nugget into the Top 20 as the decade was ticking over. Too late for the dying disco movement and too early for the next wave of clubbers, it would have its flash, only to be forgotten in the long run. ~ Amy Hanson, Rovi

1		Tell
2		Lie to You
3		Hate It
4		Adios
5		And You
6		Bout Dat
7		Dem Times
8		Ignore It
9		Kno It
10		Love Songs
11		No Panties On
12		Over
13		Pop Dat
14		She Got Away
15		Vanish
16		What to Say