Another Place and Time

Ebony, August, 1989 by Charles L. Sanders

Another Place and Time

I don't enjoy criticizing a former superstar (and very nice lady) who's trying to make a comeback. But Donna Summer never should have approved the release of Another Place and Time (Atlantic 81987-1). It is a selection of silly-sounding ditties wrapped in relentless, tiresome rhythms aimed at recapturing the long-lost disco crowd that lionized Summer upon her triumphant return from Europe in 1975 with Love to Love You Baby. For her latest, Summer left everything up to some young British producers who obviously neither understand the current music scene nor the superior vocal talents of their artist. The result: 10 tunes, few of which are memorable, and ridiculous arrangements that smother Summer in a thick gravy of synthesizers and drum machines. The best cut is the title tune, which is, thankfully, somewhat unburdened of all the electronic gimmickry, allowing Summer's voice to shine.