Shake Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 110, 1 September 1986, Page 22

Shake Summation

Dance Exponents Caroline Skies (Zulu 7’) With a subtle opening and simple rock sound, ‘Caroline Skies’ promises more than it delivers. The chorus is good; pure Monkees singalong, but the verses in between are rather aimless. Jordan’s vocals are in fine form though. Overall, ‘Halcyon Rain’ has a stronger melody line, but it lacks the distinctiveness of ‘Caroline’s chorus, with the band chugging along and the vocals mixed back. Mixed in New York, but in truth, this is a non-event. Peking Man Between the Lines (CBS 7”) There’s a colourful opening to this slow, downbeat song; Margaret’s vocals are strong while the power builds underneath. This is a plodding epic however, which crescendoes into mid-air. On the self-produced ‘Whirling Circles’ Pat and Margaret’s vocals work well together and against each other, highlighting their individualities. Loud, but not a dancer; good ending though, in which everything plus the kitchen sink builds against the snare. Lighten up, Peking people — and let’s have some smiles on the cover!

Dave Dobbyn with Herbs Slice of Heaven (Magpie 7”) This proves you don’t need overseas mixes to make great music or hit singles. From the Footrot Flats soundtrack, you know from the woody flute opening that here’s another quirky Dave Dobbyn winner. It’s another warm ’n’ cuddly love song; a sleeper, which means its gonna last and grow on you. It swings with a light touch, Dobbyn’s voice is as charming as ever, and the acapella chorus with Herbs is infectious. The music-mix B-side highlights all the little bits ’n’ pieces, and has fun without becoming indulgent. No one wants NZ’s mainstream to become as clonish as Australia’s, but for a lesson in how to write pop songs — without losing creativity or individuality — go no further. Low Profile

The Cutting Edge (Flamewave/Jayrem 12”) Phil Bowering follows the wonderful ‘Elephunk’ up with a very busy oddball number with smooth multitracked Zappa-esque vocals, and comes up with the most exciting single so far this year. Fascinatingly diverse, longterm listening will repay excellent dividends.

This polyrhythmic piece of "exuberant eccentricity" is sure to be the quiet hit of 1986 student radio, but is probably too challenging, and therefore threatening, for wider airplay. The B-side is an extended mix — turn it up and revel in the sounds as the top-class musicians develop their ideas. Superbly produced, and a lovely pressing too! Columbus Till We Kissed (Pagan 7”) A revival of the old New Zealand No 1 hit from that giant of the industry, Ray Columbus. Superb passionate singing of the great Barry Mann melody, which takes off as it lifts to the upper register, with Liam Ryan providing warm keyboard work (though the Simmons drums are a bit incongrous). The flip, ‘Angela’ is fast ’n’ furious rock ’n’ roll to the sound of '64 — Hammond organ, great drumming, and help from Ritchie Pickett. A little beat band gem. Last Man Down

Missing (Ode 7”) A light jazzy cruise, very reminiscent of ‘State House Kid’, particularly the sax hook. A New Zealand flavour in the lyrics (about hitching to Takanini in a stolen Mini), with its pleasant harmonies, perfect for Auckland summer radio. On the flip ‘The NZ Party Girl’ leaves the typing pool for her OE to a blues very similar to Ray Charles’s ‘Night Time is the Right Time! Excellent electric piano, with solid horn lines and plenty of feel from the top class players, only the

voice lets it down. More bite is needed, or a faster tempo.

Gerry Otimi and the Inventors’ School Kia Kaha David Lange A do-it-yourself singalong patting big Dave on the back (‘‘Keep your head up in the air / And don’t let the big boys bully you”), melodicly similar to ‘E Ipo! With accordian, synth and simple drum machine, this proves “if a Kiwi can, anybody can” (it says here). The flipside is an instrumental version, kind of Miami Vice played by Phil Spector on a Casiotone. Nice one, Gerry! Johnny Batchelor Work and Save (WEA 12”) Can an ex-Hooker get an even break? JB’s big-budget shot at the big time is faceless, sweaty corporate rock. An Australian production by Murray Burns with a great drum sound and not much else going for it. Unfortunately Johnny’s voice gets swamped and the three songs are anything but memorable. Made for Triple M.

Shona Laing Drive Baby Drive (Pagan 12”) The synths chug along with more warmth than the vocals, but by hell the melody grows on you. A high tech commentary on our road toll, with a metallic feel to it. Love that car crash going into the frenetic guitar solo. On the B-side ‘Somebody Found You’ (from the Genre LP) is another synth-driven piece, with lovely double-tracked vocals backed by Tony Waine. A much more human song, though

drum machines get a bit tiring. ‘Drive Baby Drive (Don’t Drink Drive Drub)’ is a more relaxed workout of the A-side’s synth riffs and bits and pieces, explosions, guitar solos, car crashes ...

The Lounge Lizards Kathleen (Ode 12”) I’ve always been crazy about Irish girls too. Randy Newman has trodden similar ground, but that’s by the way. This upbeat piece of light rock, slickly produced by Billy Kristian with a West Coast/Toto sound, deserves ZM airplay. Rotorua’s Lounge Lizards (great name), look and play like seasoned pros. On the flip are two lesser tunes with anti-nuke/peace-nik themes: ‘The Victims’, an easy listening freeway cruise, and the dancey ‘We are the Ones’. Both could do with some tightening up, but overall this is a very respectable release. Blitz

Key to Your Heart (Jayrem 7”) This might be raw heavy metal, but with a commercial production, these tunes wouldn’t go amiss on Australian radio. What Blitz has got over Johnny Batchelor is their tunes. Cliched they are, but they’re also memorable. The only dodgy part is the end of the B-side ‘On the Run) where singer/songwriter/ guitarist Richard Offsoskie struts his licks and his histrionic vocals while Gary, Dave and Steve play around with the rhythms. Produced by Brent Murphy at Frontier.

Chris Bourke