AMG Review of Best of Norman Connors

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

The Best of Normon Connors, on the Sequel imprint, is very closely allied to the 1997 ten-track comp titled The Encore Collection. This collection includes the bulk of his mid-'70s urban crossover hits for Buddah Records, including "Valentine Love," "We Both Need Each Other," "You Are My Starship," "Betcha By Golly, Wow," and "Once I've Been There." This set goes four tracks deeper than the former one did. It does include a cut from 1974's Slewfoot, "Mother of the Future," two from 1978's This Is Your Life, "Captain Connors" and "Butterfly," and "Kingston" from 1979's Invitation. Therefore, while it does go deeper and may satisfy casual listeners, it still leaves off material from the seminal albums that helped Connors create his unique meld of funk, jazz, and soul, leaving listeners with yet another best-of collection that is not definitive or truly representational.