| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Village Voice | (C+)[2] |
After Dark is the fourth studio album by guitarist/singer/songwriter Ray Parker Jr. released on August 25, 1987 by Geffen Records.[3] The album rose to No. 27 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[4]
Overview and singles
After Dark was produced by Ray Parker Jr., Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.[3] As a single "I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone" rose to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[5] A duet with Natalie Cole called Over You also rose to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[6]
Critical reception
With a 3/5 rating, Ron Wynn of Allmusic took note that "This was the closest Ray Parker Jr. ever came to doing adult soul...Parker's voice sounded more somber, introspective, and varied than on anything before or since."[1]
Track listing
| # | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone" | Ray Parker Jr. | 4:13 |
| 2. | "Over You" (duet with Natalie Cole) | Ray Parker Jr., Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach | 4:38 |
| 3. | "Lovin' You" | Ray Parker Jr. | 4:08 |
| 4. | "You Shoulda Kept a Spare" | Ray Parker Jr. | 4:46 |
| 5. | "The Past" | Ray Parker Jr. | 3:27 |
| 6. | "You Make My Nature Dance" | Ray Parker Jr. | 4:30 |
| 7. | "Perfect Lovers" | Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach, Nathan East | 5:12 |
| 8. | "After Midnite" | Ray Parker Jr. | 3:40 |
| 9. | "I Love Your Daughter" | Ray Parker Jr. | 3:44 |
| 10. | "After Dark" | Ray Parker Jr. | 4:29 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Ray Parker Jr. – all instruments, arrangements (1, 3, 4, 6-10)
- Burt Bacharach – keyboards, arrangements (2)
- Robbie Buchanan – keyboards
- Eric Daniels – keyboards
- Wayne Linsey – keyboards
- Greg Phillinganes – keyboards
- Sylvester Rivers – keyboards
- Larry Williams – synthesizers
- Kevin Toney – acoustic piano
- Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars
- Nathan East – bass guitar
- Cornelius Mims – bass guitar
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass guitar
- Ollie E. Brown – drums
- Jeff Porcaro – drums
- Carlos Vega – drums
- Gerald Albright – saxophone solo (2)
- David Boroff – saxophone solo (4)
- Gene Page – arrangements (5)
- Natalie Cole – lead vocals (2)
Background vocalists
- Philip Bailey, Arnell Carmichael, Lynne Fiddmont, Candice Ghant, Keith Harrison, Yogi Horton, Kamaya Koepke, Kashif (also BGV arrangements on 5), Cornelius Mims, Ray Parker Jr., Greg Phillinganes, Monty Seaward, Anita Sherman, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters and Karyn White
Production
- Producers – Ray Parker Jr. (tracks 1, 3–6, 8, 9 & 10); Burt Bacharach (tracks 2 & 7); Carole Bayer Sager (tracks 2 & 7)
- Production assistant – Horatio Gordon
- Engineer – Steve Halquist
- Additional engineers – Mick Guzauski, Mike Mancini, Gary Olazabal and Tommy Vicari
- Assistant engineers – Jerry Hall and Ray Parker III
- Art direction – Laura LiPuma
- Photography – Victoria Sim
References
- ^ a b Wynn, Ron. "Ray Parker Jr.: After Dark". Allmusic.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Ray Parker Jr. - After Dark". Village Voice.
- ^ a b c Ray Parker Jr.: After Dark. Geffen Records. August 1987.
- ^ "Ray Parker Jr.: After Dark (Top Soul Albums)". billboard.com.
- ^ "Ray Parker Jr.: I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
- ^ "Ray Parker Jr. with Natalie Cole: Over You (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
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