Change
This is your time

Some time ago, I reviewed the first and second albums by this phenomenal group ("The glow of love" and "Miracles" for newcomers) and I was very keen to review the third... if I could find it. It seems it's nowhere to be found. Oh well, I'll move on to the fourth, "This is your time". If someone wants an introduction to the "Change" and their legendary sound, I would recommend reading my review of "The glow of love" first, where I explain everything. Alright. "This is your time" isn't essentially a change of sound for the band (thankfully) but just an introduction to a (brief) new era that will only see the light from the fifth album "Change of heart". Going back to "This is your time" itself, I believe it to be one of the most valuable and underrated works in the entire Change discography. Something I totally disagree with. It is perhaps one of their most single-themed albums, but this does not justify its criticism.

The team remains the same as other times (production by Jacques Fred Petrus, arrangements by Mauro Malavasi and Davide Romani) and performs (still) exceptionally. A small introduction (fundamental the following year) happens for keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Timmy Allen. The cover revisits the classic geometric/abstract theme designed by Greg Porto and houses a nice LP of eight tracks, three of which became singles. The novelty for this production is the total approach to the first drum machines (except for the track "Angel") that absolutely do not make you notice the difference from a drum set... well, a real one. The experimental and pioneering approach to music that has characterized the Change sound from the beginning remains, even four years later (the record is from 1983), and the stylistic and technical precision of the arrangements is more alive than ever. Noteworthy tracks are certainly, besides the title track "This is your time", also "Magical night" (my favorite on the album) and "You'll never realize". The first is the true undisputed pillar of the work, still holding up years later (I hear it around occasionally). Driven by a synthetic drum and a pumping synth in the chorus and a sinuous one in the verses, it accompanies anyone who believes they are better than Tony Manero into Change's universe of mysteries and colors, always characterized by their tribal and sound timbres. The second, "Magical night", is my favorite: listening to just a 30-second intro convinced me to purchase the entire album. The third ("You'll never realize") is among the most reflective and melancholic post-disco songs I've ever heard. That's why I appreciate it, but also because it is the TRUE Change sound, or rather, "Goody music" (for those who don't know what that is, again, read my review on "The glow of love", also by Change). The other five tracks are the hypnotic ballad "Got to get up", the dragging slow "Angel", the funky "Stay'n fit", the energetic "Tell me why" and the dark closing track: "Don't wait another night".

In essence, "This is your time" is a classic Change album, which doesn't try to stand out but remains true to its promises (catchy, danceable, enjoyable). Perhaps the overall sound isn't as fresh as it once was, but it is certainly not unsuitable. For those who, anyway, expected fresher sounds, I would recommend the next album, "Change of heart", but not before listening to this gem. Well done Change.