Kaleidoscope suffers from an identity crisis of sorts -- the album splits arranging duties between
James Mack (who contributes lush, symphonic backings) and
Phil Wright (who favors a stripped-down, soulful approach), and while their contrasting sensibilities guarantee the album never coheres as a complete listening experience, it boasts several flashes of brilliance that supersede its flaws. The material doesn't lean quite as heavily on contemporary pop hits as some of
Nancy Wilson's other early-'70s efforts, although her poignant reading of
Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" is the album's zenith. Almost as impressive is the lovely "If I Were Your Woman," and her signature sophistication is enough to enliven even more maudlin fare like "The Greatest Performance of My Life" and "I'll Get Along Somehow." ~ Jason Ankeny