Disco de Take That: “Take That & Party [Bonus Tracks]”

Take That & Party, the debut album from british boy-band Take That is a strong debut album from a band who would soon reach world wide success. It features more of a dance club feel than their later albums and spawned a string of hit single including "Promises", "It Only Takes A Minute", "I Found Heaven", "A Million Love Songs", "Once You Tasted Love", and the US club favorites "Could It Be Magic" and "Do What U Like". The album features singer/songwriter Gary Barlow on most tracks, but also features Robbie Williams on key tracks. At this time, fellow 'That-ers' Mark Owen, Howard Donald & Jason Orange were not singing lead on any tracks (I don't think Jason ever did).

Besides the string of singles, the album features many other noteworthy moments including "Give Good Feeling", which would later become an international success for Latino boy-band 'Magneto', the inspirational ballad "I Can Make It", the light hip-hop influenced "Satisfied" and "Take That & Party", and the mid-tempo songs "Why Can't I Wake Up With You", and "Never Gonna Let You Go".

The whole album from start to finish and back to re-start, is superb. The only track I didn't much care for, and I haven't figured out why yet, is "Once You Tasted Love". It's not that it's a bad song, but for whatever reason it just rubs me the wrong way. I have heard that the US version of this album has different versions of "Could It Be Magic" and "Why Can't I Wake Up With You", but since I haven't had the opportunity to hear the British version of this LP, I can't make comparisons.

Being a young kid when this CD was released in the UK I remember more the hysteria of my two older sisters and the constant references in the British media of the group. I've never seen a cultural reaction to a group since, it seemed everyone or at least a mass of the British public loved this band and it is mainly due to their struggle to make boyband pop a mainstream in the charts. (Grunge and dance was the scene) TT had many flop singles which are on the album before finally reaching top ten with 'It Only Takes a Minute'/'A Million Love Songs' and the top 3 hit cover of Barry Manillow 'Could It Be Magic' - the moment TT went nationwide and soon to be global.

The album is patchy but has a lot of heart, hard work and charisma. Take That definately have the likeability factor and are seen as good, nice, hard working guys. This has one of the ultimate Take That songs 'A Million Love Songs' and of course 'Could It Be Magic'. Other tracks liked were 'It Only Takes a Minute', 'Satisfied', 'I Can Make It', 'Promises', 'Give Good Feeling' and 'Take That and Party'.

32nd best selling album of 1992 and 19th in 1993 in the UK.

'Could It Be Magic' also went on to win Best British Single at The Brits (UK Grammys) in 1993.

1.I Found Heaven: UK#15,

2.Once You've Tasted Love: UK#47,

3.It Only Takes A Minute: UK#7,

4.A Million Love Songs: UK#7,

7.Do What You Like: UK#82,

8.Promises: UK#38

12.Could It Be Magic: UK#3 (Rapino Radio Single Mix).

This was one of the only CD's I was able to find of these guys back in the day when it was first released-seems so long ago as I was in HS. I'm from the US and was disappointed that there was not more music released (or I did not hear of any) . I was bummed of their break up, but happy to see that they are making a come back. Just like the New Kids On The Block and Back Street Boys making their reunited albums, I look forward to hearing more of Take That also.