We're Movin' Up

We're Movin' Up
Studio album by
Atlantic Starr
Released1989
GenrePop
LabelWarner Bros.[1]
ProducerDavid Lewis, Wayne Lewis
Atlantic Starr chronology
All in the Name of Love
(1987) 		We're Movin' Up
(1989) 		Love Crazy
(1991)

We're Movin' Up is an album by the American band Atlantic Starr, released in 1989.[2][3] The band supported the album with a North American tour that included a stint with Surface.[4]

The album peaked at No. 125 on the Billboard 200.[5] "My First Love" and "My Sugar" were hits on the Black Singles Chart.[6]

Production

The album was produced by brothers and bandmembers David Lewis and Wayne Lewis.[7] Singer Porsha Martin replaced Barbara Weathers; Jonathan Lewis joined on keyboards.[8][9][10] "My First Love" includes a spoken intro by Wayne Lewis.[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
Los Angeles Times[14]

The Los Angeles Times stated: "Continuing to move in a pop direction, Atlantic Starr can attribute its success to well-crafted songs and its crafty selection of stand-out female group members to help embellish them."[14] The Washington Post opined that "on the title song from its new album, We're Movin' Up, Atlantic Starr sings the chorus with the bland perkiness of anonymous jingle singers in a beer commercial."[7]

The Palm Beach Post determined that We're Movin' Up "features some noteworthy songs from the seasoned professionals, but the album is ultimately bogged down by super-glossy, sound-alike ballads."[10] The Buffalo News concluded that "tracks like the title cut and 'Don't Start the Fire' are filled with the driving rhythms that fans have come to expect."[15]

AllMusic noted the "prototype classy love ballads, dance-pop, urban contemporary production/arrangements, and one or two above-average leads."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Under Your Spell" 
2."Bring It Back Home Again" 
3."I'm in Love with You" 
4."Don't Start the Fire" 
5."Love Ain't Fair" 
6."My First Love" 
7."Woman's Touch" 
8."Friends" 
9."We're Movin' Up" 
10."My Sugar" 
11."I Can't Wait" 
12."You Deserve the Best" 

References

  1. ^ "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 76, no. 18. Aug 7, 1989. p. 62.
  2. ^ Heim, Chris (28 Apr 1989). "And Atlantic Starr, which went for the gold last time...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 88.
  3. ^ Lester, Paul (Jun 3, 1989). "Albums: Atlantic Starr". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 22. p. 35.
  4. ^ "Surface, Atlantic Starr in concert". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. 25 Aug 1989. p. D1.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research Inc. p. 45.
  6. ^ "Starr Bright". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. 29 Sep 1989. p. 22.
  7. ^ a b "Starr's 'Movin' Bland on the Run". The Washington Post. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Atlantic Starr Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  9. ^ Pryweller, Joseph (1 Sep 1989). "They Gotta Have Heart". Splash. Daily Press. Newport News. p. 3.
  10. ^ a b Campbell, Chuck (May 26, 1989). "Atlantic Starr's Latest LP Bogged Down by Ballads". TGIF. The Palm Beach Post. p. 19.
  11. ^ Johnson, Kevin C. (June 23, 1989). "Before silky crooners like Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and Freddie Jackson dominated the smooth soulful sounds of 'Quiet Storm' radio, there was Atlantic Starr". USA Today.
  12. ^ a b "Atlantic Starr We're Movin' Up". AllMusic.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 294.
  14. ^ a b Johnson, Connie (4 June 1989). "Atlantic Starr 'We're Movin' Up'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
  15. ^ Allen, Carl (June 2, 1989). "Some Come-Ons and Comebacks in the Black Pop Arena". The Buffalo News. p. G40.