Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down Definitive Sound Series One-Step (Capitol/Interscope vinyl reissue 2026)

True surprises in today’s vinyl reissue market are rare. As major labels increasingly enter the audiophile space, the same canonical titles often reappear repeatedly — sometimes from multiple companies simultaneously. Safe bets cycle endlessly.

The Can’t Slow Down Definitive Sound Series One-Step from Capitol/Interscope is not one of those safe bets.

It’s a bold choice — one that immediately sets it apart from the typical reissue pattern. When the announcement came, I raised an eyebrow. Could this familiar pop classic justify such a high-end, luxury treatment?

And yet, the album’s commercial pedigree is unimpeachable. Released in 1983, it was Lionel Richie’s blockbuster follow-up to his solo debut after leaving the Commodores. It spent well over a year on the charts, produced five hit singles, and ultimately achieved Diamond certification with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide.

That combination of commercial impact and enduring popularity makes the album a plausible candidate for a deluxe reissue — even if it initially seems like an unexpected choice for the audiophile market.

Remarkably, despite multiple producers, engineers, and a large cast of studio musicians, the album comes across as coherent. With so many moving parts, it could easily have felt segmented or over-assembled. Instead, there is a stylistic and emotional continuity that holds the record together, giving the finished product a sense of unity.

⸻

Recording Context

The album was recorded at Ocean Way Recording and Sunset Sound, then mixed at Motown Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studio. Calvin Harris served as primary engineer. Production was handled by Richie and longtime collaborator James Anthony Carmichael. Studio musicians, including Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro of Toto, add precision and character to the performances.

⸻

In the Listening Room

The packaging is sumptuous. A sturdy slipcase with special finishes features the iconic cover photograph. Inside, a high-quality tip-on gatefold jacket and lyric insert provide both visual and tactile appeal. The 180-gram Neotech VR900D2 vinyl, pressed at RTI, completes the package, making the physical presentation as luxurious and meticulously crafted as the music itself.

It is further distinguished by exceptional mastering from Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, who cut directly from the original master tapes. The one-step process, by eliminating additional steps taken in conventional record production, brings the listener as close as possible to the lacquer. The album’s original mastering, back in 1983, was done by Bernie Grundman, creating a lineage tied to the source itself. In a conversation with Tom “Grover” Biery, the producer of this One-Step, he told me that Bellman considers this one of his most accomplished projects — a culmination of decades of experience and meticulous attention to detail.

I approached the listening session with an open mind, setting aside any preconceptions about Richie or the songs I thought I already knew. Letting the music speak for itself, I was ready to hear the album in a new way. As I listened, key moments stood out right away.

⸻

“Can’t Slow Down”

The title track opens with subtle confidence rather than spectacle. Its sophistication sets the stage beautifully, reflecting influences from Michael Jackson’s contemporary pop sound and the production sensibilities associated with Quincy Jones, yet the song maintains its own identity.

The music unfolds with impressive width, each instrument distinctly placed. The bass is elastic — tight, tuneful, and propulsive without overpowering the mix — while light percussion and harmonic textures provide lift. Richie’s vocal sits forward yet integrated, and the track’s restraint allows the album to adopt a more intimate character.

⸻

“All Night Long”

“All Night Long” demonstrates why Harry Pearson included it on his Absolute Sound Super Disc List — it rewards careful listening. On the Definitive Sound Series One-Step, the track opens with a striking sense of dimensionality. There is real openness around the instruments, and the sense of depth is immediately apparent, with percussion layered not just left to right but front to back. The music spreads naturally across the stereo field without feeling crowded.

The interplay of drums, congas, and shakers forms an interlocking rhythmic lattice that gives the track its buoyant pulse. Richie subtly leans into Caribbean-inflected vocal phrasing, adding to the song’s tropical character without tipping into novelty. That fluidity in his delivery reinforces the celebratory atmosphere and gives the performance a relaxed, communal feel.

Spread across the back of the soundstage, individual voices emerge clearly — cheering, singing, and laughing — creating a sense of festive energy that makes the recording feel like a real event unfolding around the music. These details enhance the track’s immersive quality, giving it a communal atmosphere that lifts it beyond a standard pop recording.

Strings and horns expand the sonic environment further, adding lift and momentum. The bass remains controlled yet full, the drums articulate and precise. Compared with streaming versions, this Definitive Sound Series One-Step reveals micro-details and spatial cues that make the listening experience feel dimensional and involving.

⸻

“Penny Lover”

“Penny Lover” showcases the pressing’s ability to convey nuance. While the lyrics are modest, the sonic presentation is refined. Subtle guitar lines, harp flourishes, and delicate instrumentation create a soft, enveloping atmosphere. Richie’s phrasing reveals gentle dynamic shifts, and the track’s tonal balance and separation reinforce the album’s consistency. While not my personal favorite compositionally, the track maintains the album’s sonic character throughout.

⸻

“Stuck on You”

“Stuck on You” opens with delicate acoustic guitar, soon joined by warm electric guitar accents that add color. The arrangement leaves space, allowing each note to breathe. Richie’s vocal is restrained with a touch of reverb that enhances scale without exaggeration. The string section is used sparingly but effectively, lifting key moments without dominating the texture. What might once have seemed like a lightweight ballad takes on greater emotional depth, with the one-step vinyl revealing detail and texture that enrich the performance.

⸻

“Running with the Night”

“Running with the Night” picks up the pace with a bass line that propels the track forward while maintaining control. Keyboards add harmonic color and rhythmic drive, supporting Richie’s expressive vocal. The guitar solo by Steve Lukather stands out — technically assured and melodically engaging, adding momentum at just the right moment. Despite layered instrumentation, the recording preserves separation and focus, letting the track’s drive unfold effortlessly.

⸻

“Hello”

The closing track, “Hello,” is a ballad many listeners may have assumed they’d never need to hear again after years of radio repetition. Yet in this edition, the song comes alive with renewed presence and emotional weight. Richie’s vocal conveys warmth and subtle nuance, while the supporting instrumentation — soft keyboards, strings, and understated percussion — is rendered with clarity and focus. The result transforms a familiar sentimental staple into a genuinely affecting finale.

⸻

A Closer Listen

The meticulous One-Step production allows each instrument and vocal line to emerge with remarkable detail. Harmonic textures and the interplay of the musicians are revealed with a sense of space and separation that rewards attentive listening. The pressing conveys the music’s energy and depth without exaggeration, letting both rhythmic intricacies and delicate ballad passages come through naturally. In this way, the experience of the recordings feels immediate, immersive, and complete.

⸻

Final Reflections

Can’t Slow Down may not be the first title one expects in a high-end audiophile reissue, yet this Definitive Sound Series One-Step demonstrates its compositional cohesion and production craft. The $100 price reflects both the premium manufacturing approach and the care taken in mastering. More importantly, it rewards attentive listening, revealing a record that is unified, confident, and fully realized.

Ultimately, Can’t Slow Down surprised me. An album I thought I knew inside out revealed new layers, energy, and nuance I hadn’t fully appreciated before. This One-Step pressing brings it to life in a way that feels both fresh and enduring.