FULL FORCE - DON'T SLEEP

Full Force is a band from New York.  They gained fame when they joined with singer Lisa Lisa and another R&B band called, Cult Jam.  The acts came together and formed one major group, Lisa Lisa with Cult Jam and Full Force.

For a few years in the 80's, they joined the ranks of pop royalty with a string of hits placing them alongside Madonna, Gloria Estefan and others.   But the members of Full Force never intended on getting famous as an act as much as they envisioned creating an empire built up around groups they produced and released.

Much like Prince, Full Force would write songs, record music and produce fully completed tracks for singers who were looking for music.  They would write music very similar to the Minneapolis sound and were quickly lumped into the same category with many of Prince's offshoot bands.  However, there is a distinct difference between the two.  Especially because Full Force has all members contributing to the sound whereas Prince is generally focused on his own vision of what something should be.

Full Force also seem to be more heavily R&B based whereas Prince listened to other types than just soul.  Another aspect of the band is they seem to be more open to new or different trends in Urban music.  In some cases, it works to their benefit because they're able to amalgamate new sounds into what they're doing.  On the other hand, it can also hurt them by making them sound like their chasing a sound rather than being innovative.

"Don't Sleep" starts out espousing some message about the African American community being subject to mental manipulation through the government and media.  They trumpet a call to arms and warn you, "don't sleep" or you'll  brainwashed.

However, the album then moves on to songs implying all kinds of sex.  I'm pretty sure their political message gets completely washed out by filling their disc with porno fluffer material.  The band members have great voices and they're talented musicians.  Many of the songs on the album are quite good, but they're not exciting enough to make me put it in the. truck and blast it out the window.

I was never partial to their production work and I didn't follow them back in the 80's.  The reason I picked up this record is because it was on sale used and I got it for virtually nothing.  They cover a song Prince wrote and gave to The Time.  'Girl' was the first song but not the last he wrote with that title.

It's a mediocre cover that doesn't really fit on the record.  And quite honestly, the disc is so singularly obsessed with getting into a woman's pants the subject becomes boring.  I never make it through the entire record.

I think as a group, they're talented and if they really focused on a message or pushed themselves, we'd see an amazing project.  But this album isn't it.

There's just nothing I really wanna say about this disc.  It does nothing for me.  Just nothing.  My final words:  MISOGYNIST DRAMA AND ONE PRINCE TRACK EVEN WITH UPDATED SOUNDS FAILS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION.  SKIP IT, KIDS.

FULL FORCE - DON'T SLEEP
01. Intro-Lude (Hudlin' Brothers "No Snooze" Intro...)
02. Don't Sleep
03. Nice 'N' Sleazy
04. Quickie
05. If It's Cool Witcha Baby
06. Interlude (Quiet Storm)
07. Your Place Or Mine
08. Physical Commitment
09. Wait Till I Get Home
10. Interlude (2 Points)
11. Go Wit The Flo
12. Interlude (The Byrd Factor)
13. After All This Time (Ain't It Great To Be Black)
14. Girl
15. Sharon
16. Making Love On The Dance Floor
17. My Love Is Free
18. Interlude (900-Force Line)
19. God Will Fix It