Item: Change - Miracles
Rating: 4
Author: gnoato

THE REVIEW

I Change, as I have already mentioned in the review of their first album, "The glow of love," was an Italo-American band (American singers, musicians and studio in Italy) that had modest success in the early '80s, offering sophisticated R'nB/Soul music with Disco Music and electronic influences and standing equidistant from both the dance floors and critics. Produced and led by the Guadeloupean manager transplanted to Bologna, Jacques Fred Petrus, Change had already gifted the world with the first album in 1980, a set of refined, catchy, and above all, danceable songs. The success, both with the public and critics, led the experienced producer to continue the band's venture, making slight tweaks to the style and changing some vocalists. The following year, in 1981, "Miracles" was released, perhaps their most homogeneous and refined album. The musicians remained the same: Mauro Malavasi on keyboards, today a producer (he has also produced Lucio Dalla), Davide Romani on bass, and Paolo Gianolio for the last (and final) time with Change with his guitar. The differences in sound between the first and the second album are significant, even if not so radical. The work, unlike the almost pioneering and heterogeneous "The glow of love," is much better blended and more consistent (although it loses some of the dynamics present in the first album). Generally, the sound timbres used are more orthodox, and the rhythm is more rigorous. Luther Vandross was replaced (at the last moment) by James "Crab" Robinson. The work was a success. Not like the first one, but singles such as "Paradise" or "Hold tight" have become real cult classics, impossible not to find at an '80s revival night. My personal comment on the album? A work to follow and imitate, like the first one. Nothing is out of place, and the precision is absolute. Forget chaotic drums and grimy guitars like Avril Lavigne's. This is serious music! Now, let's analyze the individual tracks:

Paradise: the first single from the album, driven by an incredible bass line (Romani really gives it his all), with a catchy melody, "smooth" synthesizers, and a compelling, mechanical groove. It strays a bit from the album's style, but in this case, it's not a crime. Frankie Knuckles, a historic DJ, would play it in his club, the "Warehouse," in Chicago. A big hit.
Hold Tight: with this second and penultimate single (not track, mind you), we truly enter the atmosphere of the album. Reverberated voices, nebulous and slippery synths, an omnipresent but not overbearing bass line, regular groove, misty atmospheres, echoing snare drum, all precise and synchronized... how I love this song!
Your Move: what a surprise, the strings appear (only hinted at in "Paradise"). And finally, the guitar accompanies the groove with its pizzicato funky style. An ordinary track until halfway through. Then comes the most beautiful part: a sax solo (how beautiful), and the rest is a gentle musical accompaniment. Really hard not to digest this song, even for "Avril dependents".
Stop For Love: the first and only track on the album that's absolutely not dancefloor-oriented due to the more relaxed rhythms and the priority given to vocals. James Robinson's performance is especially noteworthy. What talent, what falsettos! The sax also accompanies the end here, a calm and relaxing finale. I like this a lot.
On Top: after the moderate and the slow, it fits well with a lively tempo. Here comes "On top". Specifically, to also musically explain the title "On top", the song features continuous crescendos in the chorus. In the verses, Davide Romani pushes the bass to the limit, proposing fretless slaps that even replace the drums for the rhythm. The rest aligns with the album's style and perhaps a bit more "on top".
Heaven: the third and final single from the album, and one of the best tracks the band has ever offered, at least technically. The bass line intertwines with the guitar's pizzicato in an almost unrecognizable way, from beginning to end, in a loop, providing the groove that, with the drums, completes a serious piece that rides the hovering and suspended atmospheres of "Hold tight". Some feelings experienced while listening cannot be written. I REALLY recommend listening to it.
Miracles: this is what you call a closing track! The most melodically and romantically beautiful song on the album. It's perfect to listen to while thinking about your loved one. Romantic and light as few songs have ever been written (I mean it), it features a carefree guitar, a glockenspiel tinkling in the chorus, a disarming harmony. Another track that's hard to describe just by writing. It needs to be heard.

It is a real shame that this album is little known because it is truly beautiful. However, today it has been remastered on compact disc by Warner Bros and is available in music stores, albeit in limited quantity (or on iTunes Store). My advice: get it!

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Summary by Bot

Change's second album Miracles (1981) offers a more polished and homogeneous sound than their debut, combining sophisticated R&B, disco, and electronic influences. Produced by Jacques Fred Petrus and featuring James 'Crab' Robinson on vocals, the album includes cult classics like Paradise and Hold Tight. The review praises its precise musicianship, danceable grooves, and emotional depth, recommending it as a refined, essential 80s record. Despite being underrated, Miracles showcases timeless elegance and artistic consistency.

Tracklist Lyrics Videos

01 Paradise (05:12)

If you touch me with your smile
I'll get you to paradise
I can make it worth your while
I'll get you to paradise, oh

Houses made of ecstasy
Around the rooms
So picturesque together
(Picturesque together now)
Feeling all our dreams are freed
Romantic thoughts and not
Letting them fade away (oh, no)

Reach for the sky (reach for the sky)
I want you, I want you more
(You know I want you more)
I'll be nearby (I'll be nearby)
Come with me, I'll take you there

Reach for the sky (oh, reach for the sky)
I want you, I want you more
(I want, I want you)
I'll be nearby (You know I'll be nearby)
(You know I'll be nearby)
Come with me, I'll take you there

I'll be back to ?
On the road to paradise
You'll be safe with me, so try
We can make a paradise, oh, yeah

I can share my space with you
After all, this is how it should be
I want your love, I need your love
Just some tenders words alone
Let me know that this is
How it ought to be

Reach for the sky (oh, oh)
I want you, I want you more
(I want you, I want you)
I'll be nearby (I'll be nearby)
Come with me, I'll take you there

Reach for the sky (oh, oh)
I want you, I want you more
(I want you more) I'll be nearby
(You know I'll be nearby, oh, oh)
Come with me, I'll take you there

If you touch me with your smile
I'll get you to paradise
I can make it worth your while
I'll get you to paradise, oh

If you touch me with your smile
I'll get you to paradise
I can make it worth your while
I'll get you to paradise, oh

Reach for the sky (reach for the sky)
I want you, I want you more
(You know I want you)
I'll be nearby (I'll be nearby)
Come with me, I'll take you there

Reach for the sky
(Reach for, reach for the sky)
I want you, I want you more
(You know I want you, you know I want you)
I'll be nearby (I'll be nearby)
Come with me, I'll take you there

Reach for the sky (reach for the sky)
I want you, I want you more
(I want you, I want you more)
I'll be nearby
Come with me, I'll take you there

Welcome to DeBaser!

Change Miracles

gnoato

THE REVIEW

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Summary by Bot

Tracklist Lyrics Videos

01 Paradise (05:12)

02 Hold Tight (04:27)

03 Your Move (04:26)

04 Stop for Love (04:11)

05 On Top (05:17)

06 Heaven of My Life (05:38)

07 Miracles (05:26)

08 Say You Love Me Again (04:30)

09 Change of Heart (07:08)

10 Warm (05:05)

11 True Love (03:51)

12 You Are My Melody (06:27)

13 Lovely Lady (03:57)

14 Got My Eyes on You (04:36)

15 It Burns Me Up (05:05)

Change

Change
Miracles