Bottom-barrel
O'Jays,
Love Fever suffers mightily from serious over-production (i.e., syrupy-sweet synthesizers and programmed drums) and weak material. Blame producer
Reggie Griffin for much of this debacle, although even Philly soul kingpins
Kenny Gamble and
Leon Huff are culpable via the patriotic treacle of "I Love America." Combined with the simplistic famine protest tune "All Eyes on Africa," it's difficult to believe this is the same group responsible for some of the most thoughtful, penetrating musical commentary of the early '70s. Only a rare
Walter Williams lead performance, "What Good Are These Arms of Mine," redeems this abysmal entry in the
O'Jays catalog.