Window of a Child

If Seawind's self-titled debut album is its most essential release, the band's excellent follow-up, Window of a Child, runs a close second. It would have been easy for the Hawaiian combo to compromise its creativity — instead of being so eclectic and unpredictable, it could have focused on one style of music exclusively. But thankfully, Seawind sticks to its guns on this LP, embracing everything from funk and soul to instrumental jazz fusion. Singer Pauline Wilson has many inspired moments; she is as convincing on funk gems ("Angel of Mercy," "Do Listen To") as she is on more jazz-minded tracks like the title song and "Wings of Love," which wouldn't have been out of place on a Return to Forever album — Larry Williams' keyboard solo certainly shows an awareness of Chick Corea. Wilson doesn't sing on all the tracks; "Campanas de Invierno" is a calm, peaceful jazz fusion instrumental that gives the horn players (including saxman Kim Hutchcroft and trumpeter/flugelhornist Jerry Hey) a chance to stretch out. Like 1976's Seawind, this album fared well on quiet storm formats, although it didn't contain any major R&B or pop hits. But regardless of how it performed commercially, Window of a Child is a consistently rewarding sophomore album.