Singles

Rip It Up, Issue 137, 1 December 1988, Page 42

Singles

ICE-T Colors (Sire) 12" ' Man ofthe moment for sure. Evil back beat with Ice doing a gang rap, even more chilling on the acappella version. Better than the film ever was. PRINCE I Wish U Heaven (Paisley Park) 12" Don't know about that Lovesexy

thing when heard in total but split into 12-inch versions it sounds great. One of the better songs on the album, and i mixes a bit of Housequake to keep you interested. Better is 'Scarlet Pussy' on the flip, crazy piece of P-funk. PROCLAIMERS I'm Gonna Be (Chrysalis)?"/ 12" Certainly not a fan of Scottish folk x duos, but this one at least has drums on it. Which means it's got a beat for a change, so you can tap your feet and sing along to this paean to crazy love. JOHNNYDIESEL&THE INJECTORS Don't Need Love (Chrysalis) 10" Can't quite see the joys in this. Doing big biz in Australia after Diesel's support for Jimbo Barnes, and the similarity between the two is too much for me. There's nothing wrong with Jimbo but there's no need for two them. Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, but it sounds like they used Mr Diesel's bedroom for the mix-down. Might sound better in the context of an album, but gets lost on a single.

JESSE JOHNSON Every Shade of Love (Festival) 7'712" Go for the big 12" on this one, real . nice funky feel with snatches of cool sax make this essential summer listening. Re-mixed by Keith Cohen who stretches it out without adding any of those unnecessary bits that cause brain damage. Just love the House mix of 'Lovestruck' on the flip, better than the original. TRAVELIN WILBURYS Handle With Care (WEA)7" Sheesh! How could you not like this sucker? Pretty average song but it's got Roy Big O Orbison warbling in the chorus and Bobby Dylan adding vocal encouragement. Better songs on the album, and it's a miracle that even Jeff Lynne sounds good. SPUTNIK, AITKEN, WATERMAN Success (EMI) 7'71 As the cover says, "another monster ; from the myth factory." Indeed it is, shrouded in controversy with Sputnik -■ disliking their wunderkind trio's-

production, but having to put the thing out anyway. I agree with Sputnik, perhaps SAW's worst job, it just goes nowhere. But the song's real funny, with Sputnik taking the piss out of the whole bright young Brits concept. I prefer the low-tech slaughter of'Frankenstein Cha Cha' with lots of guitars and talk of silicon sensations. • Sv POP WILL EAT ITSELF ' Def Con 1 (RCA) 7"/12" Thrown off the Def Jam tour because the homeboys thought they stunk. This ain't half-bad, heaps of pop-cult debris, like the Twilight Zone release, references to Alan Moore's Watchmen and the classic line "Give me Big Mac —fries to go.' Low rent hip-hop, for people who don't like the real stuff. MELISSA ETHERIDGE Bring Me Some Water (Festival) 7'712" . Suprise! Surprise! A strong woman singer songwriter, certainly is the commercial season for them. Very AOR orientated, even if she does yell a lot. Personally I'm waiting for the Melanie revival. BANGLES In Your Room (Liberation) 7'71 Sounds good to me, but maybe not as

strong as previous releases. Super good drum sound moves the mediocre story line along, something about feeling good in her friends' room, or something. Like the imitation Pet Sounds Sgt Pepper vocal swirls at the end. TURNER Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours. (Jive) 7" /12" One of the better cuts from the Motown Song Book album, and heats up little Stevie's soul blast from the swingin' 60s. It's a good single and a - ' good album, but you just can't do any better that those wonderful originals. Brave of herto try. RICKASTLEY She Wants To Dance With Me (RCA) 7'712" This is called the 'Bordering on a Collie Mix' and it sure is a bow wow. The only thing different from the original is the slightly acid bass line. Apart from that Rick is still real urgent about finding a dance partner, like wow. Best thing is the cool jazzy guitar mix of'Strong Strong Mari' on the flip. M-D-EMM Get Busy (Factory/CBS) 12" ‘ In the wake of rare groove, House and Acid comes this dancefloor killer.

The philosophy here is Get Busy, because party time is any time, love the MJ 'Wanna Be Starting Something' bassline and sharp scratching. Bit too minimal for mainstream action, but catch this beat if disco fever is your kinda disease. KINGS OF THE SUN Black Leather (Mushroom) 7"/12" Nice video with leather lace-up dresses and crackin' whips. Where the lead singertries to do a David Lee Roth and slink amongst the models. Great video and great song, all about the joys of leatherware set to pounding pop. metal and a nifty middle-eight that . takes the song right up there with all the other fine songs about leather. < GUNS'N'ROSES Welcome To The Jungle (Geffen)7" From the best rock album since Led Zep IV, for sure. It's a jungle out there kids, but with music like this, who the hell cares. The flip has 'Mr Brownstone' the anti-drug slammer, but isn't it strange how anti-drug songs really make you feel like taking them. But at least it shows the boys have that healthy social conscience.

BOYS Dial My Heart (Motown) 12" Some things are destined to be hits, like even when this was just a concept it was a hit. Four young (like real young) black guys with L.A.Raiders crew cuts, looking real cute, doing the Frankie Lymon method of singing. Young, fresh and strong. Backed by hit makers LA-Babyface productions skills, it's a sure-fire winner. ERICB&RAKIM Follow the Leader Microphone Fiend . (MCA) 12" Two flawless works of intensity from rap's dynamic duo, swirls of 70s strings and horns against ultra modern beats. 'Microphone Fiend' is a minimalist remix with emphasis on the attacking scratch effect. This sort of thing is essential for an understanding of modern culture. KERRY BUCHANAN RIP IT UP Is looking for a full-time experienced graphic’ artist. Apply in writing to RIU, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1.