Despite the success
Full Force enjoyed producing
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam,
Samantha Fox, and
UTFO in the 1980s, the band's own albums weren't big hits. When
Force switched from Columbia to Capitol with
Don't Sleep!, things didn't improve at all. Despite the input of
James Brown ally
Bobby Byrd, this CD is a disappointment.
Force had often failed to live up to its great potential at Columbia, and the same things happen on
Don't Sleep! There are a few bright spots, including "Wait Till I Get Home" and the silky "Your Place or Mine," but most of the material is pedestrian and contrived. On such new jack swing-oriented product as "Quickie" and "Nice N' Sleazy," the Brooklynites sound like they're making one last desperate attempt to appeal to urban contemporary radio. But radio proved unreceptive, and the album died a quick death. ~ Alex Henderson