Blow It Out

by Alex HendersonBlow It Out was among Tom Scott's best selling albums of the 1970s, but it was also among his weakest of the decade. The spontaneity and grit that defined his work with the L.A. Express is sorely missing on the album, a session plagued by excessive producing and arranging, bland material and appalling lack of improvisation. Scott's sax is consistently smothered by cliched, Bob James-ish arrangements. Fans of '70s cop shows may want to hear "Gotcha (Theme from 'Starsky & Hutch')," but on the whole, Scott's pop and R&B melodies are as schlocky as they are forgettable. Making a rare and unsuccessful attempt to sing on the R&B/pop number "Down to Your Soul" -- which sounds like fifth-rate Steely Dan -- Scott unveils a voice that's thin at best. Unquestionably, an L.A. Express date like Tom Cat would be a much better investment.