'80s On 8
- When Smokey Sings-ABC (Sung tributes to other artists don't always work, but this tribute to Smokey Robinson largely does while staying true to the era when it was recorded.)
- Arc Of A Diver-Steve Winwood ("While You See A Chance," one of Winwood's best songs, eclipsed the album title track in airplay and commercial success, but "Arc...," the album's title track, also deserves its due lyrically and musically.)
- Patricia-James Last Orchestra (Easy listening strings with a kick.)
- Silent Night-The Mills Brothers (Solemn, reverential vocals. The group's "Merry Christmas" CD is easy to listen to in its entirety and feels like it's over much too soon.)
- Angel Of The Morning-Juice Newton (A strong cover of the 1968 hit by Merrillee Rush & The Turnabouts. Both versions deserve more airplay these days.)
- One By One-Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (An inviting midtempo melody, in which every lead and rhythm instrument is critical. The audience who got to hear the group play this at Birdland in 1963 was lucky.)
