• Artist: Sanford & Townsend
• Flags: Lyrics are included with the album
• Rating:
• Styles: Pop/Rock, Soft Rock
• Track Picks: "Smoke from a Distant Fire"
• Similar Albums: 70 Number One Hits of the 70s, Vols. 1-6, The Bitch Is Black, My Way, An Evening with Diana Ross, Destiny, Chronicle, Menagerie, This Is Niecy, Greatest Hits [United Artists], Why Can't We Be Friends?, Steppin', Some People Can Do What They Like, Pressure Drop, Drama V

Review

While the title track would propel Ed Sanford (keyboards/vocals) and John Townsend (keyboards/vocals) into the Top Ten, the pair were concurrently session musicians for notable West Coast pop rockers Loggins & Messina, Brenton Wood, and the Dirt Band, among others. In fact, the duo released the album as Sanford/Townsend Band the previous year, to little (or no) attention. However, when "Smoke From a Distant Fire" shot up to number nine in the summer of 1977, the long player was re-evaluated, re-named, and reissued to further solidify their one-hit wonder status. The rest of the platter continues with much the same slick and blue-eyed soullessness that was being churned out of L.A. from the likes of Toto and the Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers. Not even the formidable team of Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett can prevent sides such as the syncopated, disco-infused "Shake It to the Right," or the cheesy, synth-led "Does It Have to Be You" from sounding as if its initial inspiration were derived out of the incidental score to a porno flick. They recount the mid-'70s Southern Cali hedonistic existence on "Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-oo)," tellingly sporting the lyrics "Well there ain't no deed that a dude won't do/When he's hustling for a buck or two/In sin city wah-oo." There are a few redeemable moments in the form of the somewhat anachronistic "Squire James" -- a rather dark and lurid tale of lust and revenge. The selection is guilded by a wistful melody and is one of the effort's better arrangements. "Sunshine in My Heart Again" is another highlight that is comparatively organic, sporting pleasant and prominent acoustic and pedal steel guitar licks more akin to a Muscle Shoals production. The concluding "Rainbows Colored in Blue" blends a refined jazzy melody with a considerably muscular R&B-informed delivery. Sanford & Townsend followed up Smoke From a Distant Fire (1977) with Duo-Glide (1977) and Nail Me to the Wall (1979). The absence of any chart action effectively sealed their fate, although both resumed behind the scenes as studio stalwarts and songwriters. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
Smoke from a Distant Fire		Ed Sanford, John Townsend, Al Stewart	Sanford & Townsend	(3:33)
Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-Oo)		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(3:59)
Oriental Gate (No Chance of Changin' My Mind)		Kenny Loggins, Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(3:21)
Shake It to the Right		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(4:11)
Squire James		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(4:42)
Does It Have to Be You		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(3:13)
Sunshine in My Heart Again		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(2:43)
In for the Night		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(3:52)
Rainbows Colored in Blue		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(4:54)
Lou		Ed Sanford, John Townsend	Sanford & Townsend	(3:29)

Credits

Kenny Loggins (Arranger), Kenny Loggins (Vocals), Sanford & Townsend (Main Performer), Barry Beckett (Arranger), Barry Beckett (Keyboards), Barry Beckett (Producer), Barry Beckett (Mixing), Jon Clarke (Arranger), Jon Clarke (Horn), Jon Clarke (Group), Jon Clarke (Woodwind), Otis Hale (Guitar), Otis Hale (Saxophone), Otis Hale (Woodwind), Gregg Hamm (Engineer), Gregg Hamm (Mixing), George Hawkins (Bass), George Hawkins (Vocals), George Hawkins (Vocals (Background)), Roger Johnson (Guitar), Jerry Masters (Engineer), Steve Melton (Engineer), Steve Melton (Mixing), Jerry Rightmer (Bass), Tom Roady (Percussion), Ed Sanford (Keyboards), Ed Sanford (Vocals), Billy Townsend (Vocals), Billy Townsend (Vocals (Background)), John Townsend (Keyboards), John Townsend (Vocals), Jim Varley (Drums), Tex Wex (Vocals), Tex Wex (Basso Profundo), Jerry Wexler (Arranger), Jerry Wexler (Producer), Ted Wex (Bass), Anita Wexler (Supervisor), Jose Rodriquez (Mastering), Gordon Anderson (Executive Producer), Matthew Greenwald (Liner Notes), Bob Fisher (Mastering)