Seawind [1980]

For its fourth album, Seawind joined forces with producer George Duke -- a heavyweight who had both jazz and R&B credentials. Duke's roots were jazz, but by the late '70s he had made R&B his main focus. Because he knew R&B and jazz equally well, the eclectic Duke was ideal for Seawind; after all, Seawind was a funk/soul combo that also provided jazz fusion instrumentals. With this self-titled album (which shouldn't be confused with Seawind's self-titled debut album), the Hawaiian unit finally scored a major hit single. "What Cha Doin'," the snappy funk tune that opens this 1980 LP, enjoyed extensive airplay on both R&B and Top 40 stations; this time, quiet storm DJs weren't the only radio people paying attention to Seawind. With Duke's help, the band delivers a solid album. Seawind is as pleasing on "Pra Vose" (a Brazilian-flavored fusion instrumental) as it is on the funky "Shout" and relaxed quiet storm offerings like "Still in Love" and "The Two of Us." Nonetheless, this isn't Seawind's most essential release: that honor goes to its self-titled debut album, with Window of a Child being the first runner-up. But it was still an enjoyable way for Seawind to say goodbye. ~ Alex Henderson