Singles

Rip It Up, Issue 136, 1 November 1988, Page 32

Singles

ANITA BAKER Giving You The Best That I've Got (Elektra) 7" Ms Baker makes a wondrous return, taken from the new album that reaches the same heights as Rapture. The main cut is unflinchingly non-commercial, minimal backing and the jazz tinges of her voice up front. Good to see she didn't ask Stock-Aitken-Waterman to do a remix. My favourite single of the month. JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS I Hate Myself For Loving You (Festival) My second favourite has to be Ms Jett in a self-reflective mood. Based around classic glitterband rhythms and pounding Sandy Nelson drum beats. She's got style and history on her side. UPPER HUTT POSSE ETu/ Intervention (Jayrem) Local release of historic importance. Maori music is probably heard more by American tourists than actual Maoris, due to the nature of the industry. Offset by releases like the Ngati soundtrack, Dalvanius, Aotearoa, and a few others. But this is something different, the first New Zealand rap record, and the first to stress the militancy of Maori history and future. It's a record for Maori

people to be proud of, and realise we've come a long way from Lou and Simon's 'I Want To Live In A-Maori-Car'. Buy it and listen to it. DEAD OR ALIVE ? Turn Around And Count 2 Ten (Epic) 7" (Censored cover) 12" (exposed tattoo on buttock cover) Should keep aerobics instructors going for a long while. Funny how what used to be gay hi-energy records have become the sort of thing middle-class people use to get rid of fat. / TONY STONE , This Is Serious (Festival) 12" Darling of the English club scene, it seems, and it does have that Euro-pop feel beloved by some of our English friends. But I reckon we don't need anymore Rick Astleys at the moment, because we now have Jason (Kylie's main squeeze) Donovan's new single. YAZZ The Only Way Is Up (RCA) 7" & 12" The voice from Coldcut's 'Doctorin the House' in a master disco jam. Open hi-hat rules the beat here just like those 70s disco operas, the vocal rhythms remind me of classic Abba and I don't . think you'd find a better pop dance number. No.l with a bullet. TRANSVISION VAMP Revolution Baby (WEA)7"&I2" Anthing with a lyric like "We're all on the same side when the mushroom hits the sky" gets my support. Another stab at [pop culture stardom from Ms Wendy with the help of T-Rex riffsand big i - production. BLOW MONKEYS This Is Your House (RCA) & 12" \ Wonderful Acid House mix of Dr Robert being socially aware. The Straight version can be found on the 7" and is a classic Blow Monkeys groove but this remix is startling stuff, with the evil-est Acid bass this side of Ecstasy. GOOD QUESTION Got A New Love (WEA)I2". ■ It had to happen, the black Bros. As if Bill Cosby donated his sperm to science and they created this pop culture icon. Not exactly scaling the heights of musical excitement but still a fun, if

cluttered groove. TRACIE SPENCER Symptoms Of True Love (EMI) 7" & 12". Billie Holliday fan and 13 year-old winner of America's Star Search Trade makes her vinyl debut in fine style with this dance track. I like it because it comes on hard, and not over the top on the cutsie-pie meter. DEEPAK AND KHAN Hoile, Hoile ? (Circa) 12" ' Indian House music no less, with the Indian Acid Trip version being the better, but not too strong on the Aceeed. Maybe it needed some funked up sitars, or something. Taken from Mark Kamen's United House Nations project, bringing together House from around the world and h ? uniting us under one big groove of love, baby. BOMB THE BASS Megablast (RCA) 7" & 12" As Mean Gene used to say on the wrestling, "so much (pause) happening." A disc crammed full of ideasand fun. If it's beats you want, you've come to the right place, and cuts aplenty. The other side features a ' ■ mighty Miami sound, Latin hip-hop with a strong female vocal. There is life after 'Beat Dis'. And anyway, how come they've replaced Mean Gene with a yuppie? It's great the way he talks just like Gene, though.

GLEN GOLDSMITH Save A Little Bit (RCA) 7" & 12" British funk has gone into high gear this year, what with Derek B, Wee Papa Girl Rappers, Pasadenas and this guy. Taken from his hot debut and mixed as smooth as ice cream. Best thing about it is the original sound, both in his voice and production, not just a slavish American copy. KERRY BUCHANAN f CASSANDRA'S EARS Private Wasteland (Jayrem) Cassandra's Earswill never appeal to the seething masses because, like Microdisneyand the Go Betweens, their music needs to be fully enjoyed. They've been compared to Look Blue Go Purple buttheirvocal harmonies and modulation of volume are more reminiscent of a less angst-ridden c /; Straitjacket Fits. There's also a subtle jazz element in some of the music, .£< ’ particularly in the sax playing on 'My Command' and Flick Rhind's unique bass style. . ; This EP has a rare warmth to it. It may not move mountains but it's well worth exploring.

MATTHEW HYLAND