Singles Bar

Rip It Up, Issue 97, 1 August 1985, Page 31

Singles Bar

Mark Phillips

Amii Stewart Friends (RCA) 12” Amii Stewart has been pretty quiet since her solid disco diet of the late 70s. It seems she has mellowed considerably since then. I first heard this on a London funk radio station tape brought to NZ last year, so that suggests this was originally released in mid-84. A haunting smooth groover for late night smooching. Miss Stewart puts all the oohs next to the right aahs on a seven minute love potion of exceptional strength. Commodores Animal Instinct (Motown) 12” Best thing the Commodores did was to get rid of that smiling gimp Ritchie. At least now they can get back to what they’re best at, hare funk. Don’t worry if 'Nightshift' was a turkey, this one’s fantastic. Jocelyn Brown Somebody Else’s Guy (Shake) 12” Contrary to popular belief, Murray Cammick doesn’t own Shake Records though if he did he definitely would have released this at least a year ago. Last year this was superb, this year it’s a classic, in 10 years’ time itll be a classic. Essential. Skipworth and Turner Thinking About Your Love (Island) A hypnotic little opener from a crew who seem to be fresh on the scene. Great Stevie Wonder impression over a Nile Rodgers ripoff guitar and a huge bed of percussion. Ask about this one. Los Lobos Will the Wolf Survive (Bigtime) I can quite go a bunk on a bit of yee-hah but I’m afraid I don't see the attraction in Los Lobos’ form of Tex-Mex banality. Nice guitar though. Sister Sledge Frankie (Atlantic) It would be fair to say that Sister Sledge play the girlie vocal group to the hilt and on 'Frankie' they even go to the extent of stealing the Shangri-Las “down down’’ line from 'Leader of the Pack! Pure pop or pap? However you look at it, there’s no arguing with three weeks at number one in the UK. Depeche Mode Shake the Disease (Mute) I’ve always thought Depeche Mode made interesting records. The fact that the elusive big hit

avoids them hasn’t induced them to write the number one single that is obviously still swelling inside them. In five years’ time when people only vaguely remember Tears For Fears, Depeche Mode will be selling more records than ever I can’t believe I just wrote that. Divine Walk Like A Man (Liberation) I should have known this was dodgy when the arm of my turntable refused to go onto the record. Divine manages to turn an old 60s tune into a heavy metal Donna Summer song, whilst having an operation on his vocal chords. Is it true he sings out a hole in the side of his neck? One Way Let’s Talk About Sex (MCA) Dirty dance ditty of the month must go to this sordid little saucepot. Should do wonders for people who go to nightclubs with one thing on their minds. Comes with the honorary Rick James “If not satisfied you get your money back plus more of the same" guarantee. The Damned Grimly Fiendish (MCA) Andrew Boak should be reviewing this one as I'm afraid it leaves me speechless. And who the hell let the bloody Tijuana Brass in the studio? The Coward Brothers The People's Limousine (RCA) I wonder if Elvis has been listening to too many Los Lobos records. The southern drawl remains convincing for about 30 seconds before giving way to an English accent in a 10 gallon hat. Phyllis Nelson Move Closer (Carrere) 12” I think I must being going soft, as this big, steamy ballad sounds just fine to me. Great voice, lush production and a haunting melody. Was big in Britain and could repeat that performance here with the right exposure. Yello Vicious Games (Elektra) Yello’s latest album Stella is a reasonably varied affair, flitting between inspiring and downright awful. Vicious Games; with its female vocal lead, is a Hammer horror soundtrack on holiday at the Camden Palace. Meaty stuff. Sheila E Sister Fate (Warners) I’d like to think this one will grow on me, but I.seriously doubt it. Some nice bits and pieces held together by a truly rotten chorus and the usual 14 tons of percussion and wailing saxes.