Billy Ocean Albums (10)
'Let's Get Back Together: The Love Songs of Billy Ocean'
Release Date 1/1/2003
Tracks 15
Label Jive
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This nicely assembled, if slightly lengthy, UK collection of Billy Ocean's ballads emphasizes the best-known hits from his ‘80's catalog, and also includes many non-singles and several newly recorded tunes. The first portion of the set holds the most mass appeal, as it contains significant chart entries like "Suddenly," "There'll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry)," "Love Is Forever," and "The Colour of Love." However, it's actually towards the latter part of the set that two of the real gems lie: one being the previously unreleased "Our Love Will Survive"; the other, the sorely overlooked Love Zone album track "Promise Me." "Our Love Will Survive," an outtake from the 1987 Tear down These Walls sessions, is a summery pop-rock ballad with more guitars and less predictable melody than Ocean's typical ballad fare. It's truly too bad that it wasn't released upon its initial recording. The two newly recorded entries are both remakes. Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You" and Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" are both given a contemporary pop-reggae feel by producer Michael Peden. It's clear here that Ocean still possesses a distinctive, honey-coated voice of soul; but the rather impersonal arrangements don't allow him shine to his fullest. Given its specialized nature, this collection will mostly appeal to devoted Ocean fans - for, all of the hits found here are also contained on Jive's 1997 double-disc, L.I.F.E.. The presence of "Our Love Will Survive" and the two new entries make the disc a nice collection addition for ballad connoisseurs and ardent Ocean fans. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
'Emotions in Motion'
Release Date 1/1/1998
Tracks 14
Label Time Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
After achieving worldwide stardom in the '80s, Ocean took a three-year recording hiatus in the early '90s. This resulting comeback album found him offering strong melodies, lyrics, and vocals once again, yet on occasion also showed him falling victim to current production trends. The set's highlights are the numbers produced by Steely & Clevie, R. Kelly and Dorsey "Bob" Robinson, while the tracks done by club stalwarts Hula & K. Fingers and new-school R&B figure Timmy Allen are weak and formulaic. Throughout it all, Ocean's performances are bright and compelling, as evidenced by the vivid "Everyday Sunshine" and uplifting "Pick Up the Pieces" -- both featuring well-crafted, round-style vocal arrangements. And though Time to Move On is primarily dance-oriented, the album contains lovely R&B/pop ballads with Ocean's signature, passion-filled delivery via "Rose" and "Everything's So Different Without You." This set isn't as consistently unforgettable as earlier works like Love Zone or Nights, but is still considerably strong. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
'Tear Down These Walls'
Release Date 1/1/1988
Tracks 10
Label Jive/Novus
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Billy Ocean was riding atop the charts when he issued this album in '86. The title track contained both a fine arrangement and Ocean's emphatic lead vocal, and was a huge hit. He topped the R&B charts twice that year with both "Love Zone" and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)," each of which was also a huge pop smash, the latter topping the pop chart. This was arguably his finest album, and was certainly his most successful. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Billy Ocean went from international superstar to falling completely off the charts in one of the most amazing rise and fall stories of the 1980s and early '90s. This was an early, introductory self-produced session for Epic, with Ocean still feeling his way around in America after having enjoyed huge success on Britain's club circuit. There were some decent ballads and uptempo dance tunes, but little to suggest that Ocean was on his way to becoming Britian's pop/dance king and an urban contemporary and pop superstar in America as well. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)'
Release Date 1/1/1981
Tracks 9
Label GTO
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Billy Ocean was on his way to superstardom with this album, his first big hit release on Epic. The title song was his first R&B Top 10 record, and he got another couple of chart singles before beginning his run of R&B and pop hits. It also demonstrated his equal ability doing exuberant uptempo dance tunes and convincing, if at times oversung and vapid, ballads. Epic was later left red-faced when an act they developed moved over to Jive/RCA and went platinum. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Though his first LP, Billy Ocean, produced a string of three Top 20 hits in the U.K., nearly four years would pass before GTO finally released the soulful crooner's sophomore album. The resulting output was a package much earthier and funkier than its predecessor, evidenced by the gritty horns, snazzy bassline, and urging vocals of "What You Doing to Me" and the Latin-tinged, almost-fusion title track. Still, there are plenty of pretty moments with remnants of Ocean's earlier sweet soul sound. The subtly orchestrated, lightly swaying rhythms of "Who's Gonna Rock You" and the warm harmonies and from-the-heart lyrics of "Maybe Tonight" are both innocent soul numbers, but with a little more experience than comparable tunes on the first album. Unfortunately, the latter half of the album suffers from a couple of overarranged tunes, in the form of "Whatever Turns You On" and "Taking Chances." Both of these tunes (as well as three others on City Limit) would turn up in new form on 1981's Nights. "Whatever" and "Taking" are both solid songs, but the horns play too integral a role, and swamp the tunes so much that it all sounds a bit Muzak. But on the whole, City Limit is a bright album with a considerable number of memorable moments. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Way before hook-smart pop/R&B ditties like "When the Going Gets Tough" and "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" established Billy Ocean as an 80's radio icon worldwide, the singer was belting out 60's-laden soul workouts and ballads that mainly stuck a chord with UK audiences. This youthful debut outing boasts a nice balance of slow and fast numbers, and finds Ocean putting an abundance of energy into each track (at times perhaps a bit over-exerted). And though his style may not be as developed as on his 80's albums, there's no lack of vigor or enthusiasm. From the earnest, Motown-privy grooves of the pleading "Love Really Hurts Without You" and subtle "Let's Put Our Emotions in Motion" to the riveting pace of the assertive "Tell Him to Move Over," the album's eleven tracks provide a thorough examination of some of the many emotions associated with love. Given, this is not an unusual context for any form of popular music; but Ocean and his co-writers' down-to-earth lyrics and the singer's remarkably sensitive delivery make it a special listen. Whether it be the shy falsetto he employs on "Let's Do It All Again" or his straightforward tenor vocal on "Eye of a Storm," there's an unmistakable personal feeling that defines what "soul" is all about. His approach may not be as raw or deep as "soul" conventionally suggests, but it's just as real. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
