Enzed Grooves

Rip It Up, Issue 145, 1 August 1989, Page 30

Enzed Grooves

SISTERMATIC Million Dollar (Propeller 12”) It's good to see the Propeller label back and the guys from the Newmatics back on the scene. This meandering seven minute workout celebrates the stock market crash, in search of atune, the dance feel only emerges with La Koi Wooten's concluding” rap. Butthe fading chant says it all — “Shit goddam, the Newmatics can Jam.” DOUBLEJ & TWICETHET She’s AMod / Mod Rap (Definitiv) ; Some people think this record is a Ray Columbus instigated sham. But | thinkit's greatfun and it's got the classic pop music ingredients — energy, good humourand a neattune. It's essentially a revival, it ain’ta rootsy rap statement but it's greatto hear an old kiwisong on the radio. However, | wonderwhat Jeremy and Jerry’s mothers were really listening to “backin ‘65.” : RHYTHM CAGE The Phoneis Ringing (Pagan) Aband who have shown considerable apfitude live and released an impressive EP, get alitle Bowie-esque here, sort of ‘Major Tom’ but Bowie would never have given the song such a mundane title. | preferthe flip, the funky ‘Hold on to Your Body'it NETHERWORLD DANCING TOYS American Dream (CBS) The guys return, getting serious here, no ‘For Today’ candy, somebody “pulls a gun” inthe first verse. It's got that cop show, rhythm and blues, chevy, freeway feelto the verses with a “down home” “kiwi" chorus. A strange combination but | love the evocative “putya foot down” verses. TEXPISTOL & RIKKI MORRIS Come Back Louise (Pagan) The hit-making duo, Tex and the younger Pistol are back with another tear jerker— it's not quite a Rikki Morris solo record but that must be just around the corner as Rikki wrote the song and he has the serious vocal chops. If they've gota Telethon style video again, this could be a monster. . JOHNNY SPACIFIC IDon’t Know Why (EMI) - Anifty, commercial song from Auckland’s Johnny Spacific that seeks to rationalise the inevitability of Love—- “ Maybe it's the way thatyou brush your haire” (If this was an advice column we

could help —the way you clean your teeth, maybe?) Anyway, both sides of this record have a pleasant “down home” feel that the nation might embrace if exposed to Johnny Spacific. THE SPIRALS (ISend My Love) To the Old Country (Spiral) Lots of commercial hooks here and tried and proven licks that we've heard before (e.g. early Cure). The Spirals have certainly done their research but the elements have yetto gelinto a distinctive style. However this is a debut single and vocalist Belinda Bradley shows some promise. JENNY MORRIS Saved Me (WEA) Expatriate NZ singer Jenny Morris has a classy new single co-written with INXS's Andrew Farriss who has produced her new album. ‘Saved Me'is aclever, haunting groove that grows on you. MURRAY CAMMICK