An amalgamation of two previous albums, the material here is predominately contemporary pop. Ella puts her Midas touch on compositions by Randy Newman, Bacharach/David, Harry Nilsson, and Lennon/McCartney, as well as some typical easy listening standards like "Black Coffee," "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Manteca." Highlights are three Smokey Robinson compositions: "Get Ready" (where Richard Aplanalp's baritone sax replicates Melvin Franklin's bass part heard on the original by the Temptations), "The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game," and "Ooo Baby Baby." A rendition of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" doesn't work as well, but she nails Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood" like a journeyman carpenter - proving, as she does on all 22 selections, that a classy voice like hers can sing anything and sing it very well.
An amalgamation of two previous albums, the material here is predominately contemporary pop. Ella puts her Midas touch on compositions by Randy Newman, Bacharach/David, Harry Nilsson, and Lennon/McCartney, as well as some typical easy listening standards like "Black Coffee," "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Manteca." ~ AllMusic
The name Mark Baker may not be immediately recognizable to many, but for liner note/album credits junkies, it signifies top shelf AOR songwriting. Whether it be anthems or ballads, a Mark Baker song means memorable hooks and a big chorus. Mark Baker is the man behind the iconic Signal "Loud & Clear" album as well as many other songs, including tracks for .38 Special, Paris Black, Triumph and Boulevard. He was also the main co-writer on House Of Lords' acclaimed "Demons Down" record, rejoining as co-writer on some of the band's more recent albums too.