Singles Bar

Rip It Up, Issue 101, 1 December 1985, Page 10

Singles Bar

Kerry Buchanan

Artists United Against Apartheid Sun City (Manhattan) 12” Star-studded protest song, which uses the South African Las Vegas-like entertainment centre as a symbol for the political system of apartheid. This bites even harder than the two previous musical protests, with some hard raps from Run DMC and hot vocals from Bobby Womack, Joey Ramone, George Clinton and many others. The 12" is state-of-the-art production from Arthur Baker, Stevie Van Zandt and Keith Le Blanc. An essential political statement and essential music. One of the records of the year. Princess Say I’m Your Number One (Stimulant) 12” Vital dance cut with an irresistible beat and fine vocals, that has already crossed to the pop charts. All to the credit of the men behind

the Stimulant label, who knew that soul of this calibre heeded local release, let's hope they continue to have further successes. Nona Hendryx If Looks Could Kill (D.0.A.) (RCA)I2” I suspect this one is going to be a sleeper not as immediate or beat crazy as 'I Sweat', more melody and less rhythm. A good subtle mix from Arthur Baker, and the Latin Rascals allow Nona to sing at her most soulful. After a few listens you'll be hooked. Dazz Band

Hot Spot (Motown) 12" A disappointment after the bone-crunching 'Let It All Blow', this one just doesn't go anywhere. The Dazz Band are capable of better than this, and hopefully their forthcoming album will prove it. Sheena Easton Do It For Love (EMI) 12” After her recent black chart success with Prince’s 'Sugar Walls’, Sheena tries for another one with reliable Nile Rodgers, but the Scottish nightingale and Mr Nile sound a bit tired. The song consists of Sheena saying “Do it" lots of times and Nile doing a sub-Madonna mix on her. It’s time for Nile to return to his roots. Phantom, Rocker & Slick Men Without Shame (EMI) 12” Well you just better like guitars, because Mr Slick plays ’em long and hard, while Mr Phantom and Mr Rocker make the rest of this bar band menage a trois. The title just about says it all.

Freddie Jackson You Are My Lady (Capitol) Second side from the cool soulman’s great album. A few might find it a bit M.0.R., but have a close listen to the way he uses his voice, and that great bass line. This is far too hip to be M.0.R.; for discerning turntables anywhere. The Cure

Close To Me (WEA) 12" This is a strange one. Lots of great horns with a jazzy tinge, add a nifty shuffle beat. As with 'Love Cats’ we find Robert Smith in a poppy mood, but this is just so much better. A possible hit. The Damned Is It A Dream (MCA) 12" The A-side is an extended cut from the folky Phantasmagoria, but the B-side has a neat live version of the Pistols' ‘Pretty Vacant’ and a sloppy ‘Wild Thing' I always did like the Damned when they were loud and obnoxious. George Thorogood & the Destroyers Rock ’n’ Roll Christmas (EMI) Jeez, I just love Christmas songs and I love really dumb rock ’n’ roll songs even better so this is a double winner. All George wants for Christmas is "a Chuck Berry album and a picture of Elvis too." Great rockin' sax and nifty guitar. As George says: “Go Santa, go, go, go!”