City Limit (Bonus Tracks) (Exp)

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1980 album including six bonus tracks. City Limit is the second studio album by the Trinidadian/British soul legend Billy Ocean and was his last release on the GTO label. Billy Ocean produced a string of Top 20 UK Chart hits but nearly four years passed before GTO released the soulful sophomore album, which the resulting output was a package much earthier and funkier than its predecessor. The evidence of the gritty horns, snazzy bassline, and urging vocals of "What You Doing To Me" and the Latin-tinged, almost-fusion title track. Still, there are plenty of pretty moments with remnants of Ocean's earlier sweet soul sound. The subtly orchestrated, lightly swaying rhythms of "Who's Gonna Rock You" and the warm harmonies and from-the-heart lyrics of "Maybe Tonight" are both innocent soul numbers. City Limit's latter half of the album excites with a couple of beautifully arranged tunes, in the form of "Whatever Turns You On" and "Taking Chances." Both of these tunes (as well as three others on City Limit) would turn up in a new form on 1981's Nights. "Whatever" and "Taking" are both solid songs, with the horns playing an integral role, and on the whole, City Limit is a bright album with a considerable number of memorable moments.