Though released only a year after his smash disco anthem, "The Hustle," the material on
The Real McCoy doesn't quite hold up as well as the above-mentioned ubiquitous track. Awash with lush strings, horny voices and a pulsing rhythm section, the songs sound so dated you can almost feel the shag carpeting under your feet during tunes like "Jet Setting" and "Night Walk." Furthermore, with a disco version of "Theme From Star Trek" and a portrait of a rhinestoned
McCoy on the album sleeve, the kitsch factor is on high during most of
The Real McCoy. Unless you're into high camp or need a score for the '70s-themed adult movie you're shooting, it's best to avoid this album altogether and opt for the hundreds of disco compilations that invariably contain "The Hustle." ~ Steve Kurutz