Don Downing - Doctor Boogie (2016) [Hi-Res]

Don Downing is the older brother of Al Downing, but the siblings differ musically. Al is urban smooth, while Don favors Disco. "Dream World" and the southern-flavored "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights" enjoyed some minor chart success a few years prior to this LP's release. "Love Doctor," "Sugar & Spice," and "Half Past Love" are similar to the previous hits and pave no new ground. "Doctor Boogie" with its contagious beat and gritty vocal, along with the spunky "Playmate" buoyed by a robotic beat, are the disk's freshest tracks. The only ballad "I Don't Love You Like I Used To," breaks the rump-shaking spell and gives Don's vocal pipes a good workout. The Collectables label later reissued these same tracks on The Very Best of Don Downing: Dream World. ~ Andrew Hamilton