Don't Sleep!

AMG Review of Don't Sleep!

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

Despite the success Full Force enjoyed producing Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Samantha Fox, and UTFO in the 1980s, the band's own albums weren't big hits. When Force switched from Columbia to Capitol with Don't Sleep!, things didn't improve at all. Despite the input of James Brown ally Bobby Byrd, this CD is a disappointment. Force had often failed to live up to its great potential at Columbia, and the same things happen on Don't Sleep! There are a few bright spots, including "Wait Till I Get Home" and the silky "Your Place or Mine," but most of the material is pedestrian and contrived. On such new jack swing-oriented product as "Quickie" and "Nice N' Sleazy," the Brooklynites sound like they're making one last desperate attempt to appeal to urban contemporary radio. But radio proved unreceptive, and the album died a quick death.