Although B.T.
Express didn't have that many major radio hits, the New Yorkers' extremely danceable funk reigned supreme in the clubs (especially Black clubs). "Do It (Til You're Satisfied)", "
Peace Pipe", "
Shout It Out" and "
Express" are among the handful of jams on this engaging 15-song CD that were actually sizable hits on Black radio; most of the other songs, however, don't fit that description. But play this collection for anyone who deejayed in a Black club in the 1970s, and chances are they'll know most of the material.
Express, a major influence on East Coast units like the Brass Construction and Mass Production, was very much a party band, and addictive album tracks like "
This House Is Smokin'" and "
Once You Get It" found their way to club turntables without ever coming out as singles. Although pleasant enough, a cover of Burt Bacharach & Hal David's "Close To You" shows that ballads were never the
Express' strong point (which is truly ironic, given that one of its members, Kashif, would become known as a top R&B love man in the 1980s). And the 1980 recordings "
Stretch" and "
Does It Feel Good" are pretty generic, but on the whole, this disc is something funksters should savor.
The Best of B.T. Express review by allmusic.com