If That's What It Takes - Michael McDonald - LP - Pre Owned Vinyl (Arrives in 14days)

If That’s What It Takes marks Michael McDonald’s confident step out from behind the Doobie Brothers’ shadow and into his own spotlight. Released in 1982, this debut solo album distills everything people love about his voice—grainy, expressive, unmistakably human—and wraps it in sleek, early-’80s studio craft. You get the big, emotional hooks of “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” a track that went on to shape decades of R&B and hip‑hop sampling, alongside deep cuts that reveal his jazz and soul roots. What makes this record special on vinyl is how alive the arrangements feel: warm Fender Rhodes, smooth backing vocals, and horn lines that don’t just decorate the songs, they push them forward. McDonald leans into adult themes—regret, second chances, complicated love—without melodrama, letting his phrasing do the heavy lifting. For collectors, this album captures a turning point: West Coast pop and blue-eyed soul fusing into something polished yet genuinely felt. If you’re drawn to meticulous production, strong songwriting, and a voice that sounds even more intimate through a needle and groove, If That’s What It Takes deserves a front-row spot on your shelf and a full, uninterrupted listen. Track List: A1 - Playin' By The Rules - 4:55 A2 - I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) - 3:39 A3 - Love Lies - 3:21 A4 - I Gotta Try - 3:53 A5 - I Can Let Go Now - 2:54 B1 - That's Why - 4:24 B2 - If That's What It Takes - 4:17 B3 - No Such Luck - 3:44 B4 - Losin' End - 4:11 B5 - Believe In It - 4:41