"Candles" is simply one of my favourite albums ever. I purchased the cassette at 17 (11 years ago) and it was at a special time for me...I just met someone and was becoming a man...the songs on this album introduced me to Heatwave proper. Sure I knew "Boogie Nights" and "The Groove Line" both of which are great songs. But this album...great, every track is great. "Candles" peaked at No. 29 on the British charts and 74 in the U.S. "Gangsters of the Groove" is a slick Temperton production that has sizzling synth and their trademarks harmonies in full gear. It also became a hit: No.19 in England and No.110 in America. "Jitterbuggin" is the fun stepper that followed it and peaked at 34 on the UK charts. Lyric: "we're goin' jitterbuggin, all through the night, jitterbuggin' tonight..." "Posin Til Closin" is a killer track, smooth as, and gets all disco friendly towards the end, has a good feel to it. Some funky bass playing and great lyrics in this one. "Dreamin You" IS dreamy. Delicious feel good disco soul that has an innocence that is missing from today's music. It is just a nice song, yet funky. Of the actual ballads, "All I Am" is beautiful, Johnnie's voice is soul at it's best and would be one you'd like to dance with someone special to. "Turn Around" is a solid, funky song, nice horns and bass that chugs along nicely. "Where Did I Go Wrong" is a throwback 50's type song that for me, is the albums low spot, but I don't dislike it, it's just not really my thing. "Goin Crazy" is another full on funk workout, with frantic strings darting in and out and atmospheric sounds goin' on...lets clap, lets clap, lets all clap...and "Party Suite" well, what a lot of fun that is, with it's great intro (it is my ringtone) and full on party vibe. Now we come to the crunch...My tape broke! I wanted this album on cd for so long. I also bought "Hot Property" and I have to say I much more enjoy this album, probably because it is much more funky and disco than "Property". I heard it was on cd, but then it was out of stock. It seemed I would never own "Candles." But one day, on a net search, what was I to find but "Candles" with photos, notes and most excitingly, bonus tracks! Well when I got it, I was very impressed. The photos are great and it features detailed liner notes from Phil Ramone who produced and Derek Bramble who played on this album. Full discographical information. And the bonus tracks: "Wack That Ax", a funky little number that was b-side to "Gangsters of The Groove" and "Find Someone Like You", a pleasant little song, full of romance and dreaminess. Big Break Records have excelled themselves on this album, and made me rush out and buy "Hot Property" which is also well done by BBR. There is one further Heatwave release they have put out, "Current" from 1982, but I don't have that one yet, as 1982 is getting late for me. If you are a disco fan, who likes a bit of intelligence and FUNK in their music, you must own "CANDLES".