We're Movin' Up
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = We're Movin' Up
| type = studio
| artist = Atlantic Starr
| cover = We're Movin' Up.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1989
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Pop
| length =
| label = Warner Bros.{{cite magazine |title=Jet's Top 20 Albums |magazine=Jet |date=Aug 7, 1989 |volume=76 |issue=18 |page=62}}
| producer = David Lewis, Wayne Lewis
| prev_title = All in the Name of Love
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = Love Crazy
| next_year = 1991
}}
We're Movin' Up is an album by the American band Atlantic Starr, released in 1989.{{cite news |last1=Heim |first1=Chris |title=And Atlantic Starr, which went for the gold last time... |work=Chicago Tribune |date=28 Apr 1989 |department=Friday |page=88}}{{cite magazine |last1=Lester |first1=Paul |title=Albums: Atlantic Starr |magazine=Melody Maker |date=Jun 3, 1989 |volume=65 |issue=22 |page=35}} The band supported the album with a North American tour that included a stint with Surface.{{cite news |title=Surface, Atlantic Starr in concert |work=Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph |date=25 Aug 1989 |page=D1}}
The album peaked at No. 125 on the Billboard 200.{{cite book |last1=Whitburn |first1=Joel |title=Top Pop Albums |date=2010 |publisher=Record Research Inc. |page=45 |edition=7th}} "My First Love" and "My Sugar" were hits on the Black Singles Chart.{{cite news |title=Starr Bright |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=29 Sep 1989 |department=Calendar |page=22}}
Production
The album was produced by brothers and bandmembers David Lewis and Wayne Lewis.{{cite news |title=Starr's 'Movin' Bland on the Run |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/09/01/starrs-movin-bland-on-the-run/39746779-81ec-412c-84f8-1594d95ca773/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=31 August 2022}} Singer Porsha Martin replaced Barbara Weathers; Jonathan Lewis joined on keyboards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/atlantic-starr-mn0000509356/biography|title=Atlantic Starr Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=AllMusic}}{{cite news |last1=Pryweller |first1=Joseph |title=They Gotta Have Heart |work=Daily Press |date=1 Sep 1989 |location=Newport News |department=Splash |page=3}} "My First Love" includes a spoken intro by Wayne Lewis.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin C. |title=Before silky crooners like Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and Freddie Jackson dominated the smooth soulful sounds of 'Quiet Storm' radio, there was Atlantic Starr |work=USA Today |date=June 23, 1989}}
Critical reception
{{music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/were-movin-up-mw0000199653|title=Atlantic Starr We're Movin' Up|website=AllMusic}}
|rev2 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
|rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=1 |page=294}}
|rev3 = Los Angeles Times
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Connie |title=Atlantic Starr 'We're Movin' Up' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=4 June 1989 |department=Calendar |page=57}}
}}
The Los Angeles Times stated: "Continuing to move in a pop direction, Atlantic Starr can attribute its success to well-crafted songs and its crafty selection of stand-out female group members to help embellish them." The Washington Post opined that "on the title song from its new album, We're Movin' Up, Atlantic Starr sings the chorus with the bland perkiness of anonymous jingle singers in a beer commercial."
The Palm Beach Post determined that We're Movin' Up "features some noteworthy songs from the seasoned professionals, but the album is ultimately bogged down by super-glossy, sound-alike ballads."{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Chuck |title=Atlantic Starr's Latest LP Bogged Down by Ballads |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=May 26, 1989 |department=TGIF |page=19}} The Buffalo News concluded that "tracks like the title cut and 'Don't Start the Fire' are filled with the driving rhythms that fans have come to expect."{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Carl |title=Some Come-Ons and Comebacks in the Black Pop Arena |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 2, 1989 |page=G40}}
AllMusic noted the "prototype classy love ballads, dance-pop, urban contemporary production/arrangements, and one or two above-average leads."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| title1 = Under Your Spell
| length1 =
| title2 = Bring It Back Home Again
| length2 =
| title3 = I'm in Love with You
| length3 =
| title4 = Don't Start the Fire
| length4 =
| title5 = Love Ain't Fair
| length5 =
| title6 = My First Love
| length6 =
| title7 = Woman's Touch
| length7 =
| title8 = Friends
| length8 =
| title9 = We're Movin' Up
| length9 =
| title10 = My Sugar
| length10 =
| title11 = I Can't Wait
| length11 =
| title12 = You Deserve the Best
| length12 =
}}