Touch and Go (album)

Touch and Go is the third album by the American vocal group Force M.D.'s, released in 1987.^[2][3] "Love Is a House" was the first single; "Couldn't Care Less" was also released.^[4][5] The group supported the album by playing shows with Madonna and Alexander O'Neal.^[6][7]

Touch and Go
Studio album by Force M.D.'s
Released	1987
Genre	R&B,[1] soul
Label	Tommy Boy
Force M.D.'s chronology
Chillin' (1985) Touch and Go (1987) Step to Me (1990)

Production

Nine producers contributed to the recording of Touch and Go, which was marked by a more mainstream sound.^[8][9] Force M.D.'s felt they were known primarily for their ballads, so the group made sure that some dance tracks were included on the album.^[10] "Would You Love Me?" was influenced by go-go music and rap.^[8][11] The title track was written by Victor Bailey.^[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[12]
Los Angeles Times	[4]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[14]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music	[15]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that, "on the whole, the gooey, studio-crafted music on the third album by the New York quartet is so far removed from the street that even the silkiest smooth singing is undermined... Occasional attempts at incorporating hip-hop styles into the arrangements sound gratuitous and gimmicky."^[4] The Christian Science Monitor determined that, "from rap to ballads, to disco/funk, they do it all, without sounding like a hodgepodge ... their youthful, sweet sound continues to charm."^[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "Love Is a House" "is the finest sustained pop metaphor in some time, as are the doo-wop harmonies that make the song surge with strength and beauty."^[13] The Washington Post concluded that, "with its quietly fiery performances and seductively glossy production, Touch and Go is superior neo-soul."^[8] Nelson George, in Billboard, listed Touch and Go among the best albums of 1987.^[17] Trouser Press deemed the album "a lightweight delight."^[9]

AllMusic stated: "The production on Touch and Go is crisp and super polished, which is standard for an era just discovering the world of digital production."^[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Love Is a House"
2.	"Would You Love Me?"
3.	"Touch and Go"
4.	"Couldn't Care Less"
5.	"Your Love Drives Me Crazy"
6.	"Midnite Lover"
7.	"Take Your Love Back"
8.	"Sweet Dreams"

References

1. Mitchell, Rico (7 Jan 1988). "Music". LA Weekly. p. 107.
2. "The Force is not with their third album". Star Tribune. 21 Aug 1987. p. 3C.
3. Hess, Mickey (2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 122.
4. Hochman, Steve (9 Aug 1987). "Force: Gooey, Gimmicky". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 76.
5. Takiff, Jonathan (24 June 1988). "This One's for You". Features Friday. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 58.
6. Talevski, Nick (2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking on Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 459.
7. Hiltbrand, David (25 Sep 1987). "Alexander O'Neal". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 28.
8. Brown, Joe (28 Aug 1987). "The Hot-Blooded Force M.D.". The Washington Post. p. N17.
9. "Force M.D.'s". Trouser Press. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
10. Davis, Ken (17 Sep 1987). "The musical 'force' is with M.D.'s". South Bend Tribune. p. C2.
11. Wolff, Carlo (14 Sep 1987). "New groups exploring depths of soul music". Akron Beacon Journal. p. C8.
12. "Touch and Go Review by Rob Theakston". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
13. Tucker, Ken (23 Aug 1987). "Force MDs Touch and Go". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. G9.
14. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 257.
15. Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music. Virgin. p. 122.
16. Duncan, Amy (19 Aug 1987). "Rock/Pop/Jazz". Arts. The Christian Science Monitor.
17. "Critics' Choice". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. Dec 26, 1987. p. Y50.