Secrets

Con Funk Shun's second album for Phonogram/Mercury, Secrets catapulted the group to national acclaim. The Vallejo, CA, natives presented a balance of songs featuring the smash single "Ffun," which hit the top of the R&B charts and also made the pop Top 40. That single was followed by "ConFunkShunizeYa"; with a catchy hook and swinging horns, it peaked at number 31. With the success of these two singles, the septet's name became popular among R&B lovers. Even though there were just two singles that charted from this album, any one of the tracks from this diverse collection could have easily made it to the charts. The title track is a laid-back, midtempo composition; "Indian Summer Love" is an uptempo instrumental utilizing the synthesizer technology of its day. Also, there are a few mellow compositions on this album, the first being "Who Has the Time," a social indictment of the public at large featuring Felton Pilate's resonating tenor. "Tears in My Eyes" showcases Pilate and Michael Cooper in an emotionally charged lyric, and "I'll Set You Out O.K." highlights Cooper's tenor and Pilate's falsetto in unison, rounded out by Paul Harrell's jazzy saxophone.