Singles

Rip It Up, Issue 170, 1 September 1991, Page 6

Singles

ABC ■ 7. Love Conquers All (Parlophone) CD Single Martin Fry re-reads the lexicon of love in this sweet morsel of pop soul, a light sway through his ruminations on the power that is love. Being the romantic that I am, I fall head over heels for this sort of soft disco slush every time. A return to form for ABC. Excellent. BOMB THE BASS Winter In July (Rhythm King) 12" V Unlike that other hip hop ' wunderkind, Mantronix, Tim Simenon hasn't abandoned his roots, just expanded on them. The new Unknown Territory album is brimming with new ideas, here's one of them. A slow subsonic beat with soul vocals from Loretta Haywood over the top, with a smart sample from Kate Bush at the start. A bit difficult to assimilate everything at first, but work with it. Of interest to technology fans, is that this is the first single using the new 3D sound system designed by Roland — whatever that means.

SCRITTI POLITTI & SWEETIE IRIE Take Me In Your Arms and Love Me (Virgin) 12" Scritti really works well in tandem with the hot shot reggae guests they've been working with. First with the dancehall duke, Shabba Ranks, now with the ragga love man, Sweetie Irie. Another inspired cover in a groove oOzing cool reggae beats sung in that brittle voice, in contrast to the gruff desires of Mr Sweetie Irie. LIMBO MANIACS Shake It (CBS) 12" Inspirational art from a bunch of white boys rapping about their sexual desires to a nasty go-go beat that snakes around in a demented manner. Sort of thing you want to hear after a few wine coolers for breakfast. DE LA SOUL A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays (Liberation) 12" Not as super catchy as 'Ring Ring Ring' but it has all the De La Soul elements. Smart talk and smart beats. A

modern version in spirit of Chic's 'Good Times' even using that rollerskate sample. Good also is the 'Grease' sample in the disco fever mix, just sort of leaps out at you. Remix from Youth. Like to say it's going to be a big hit but maybe a little too unusual. Flip it over for a house rework from Dave 'Boom Boom' Morales.

PM DAWN Set Adrfit On Memory Bliss (Gee Street) 12" Well, it's not out yet, but watch out, it's gonna be an early summer hit. A gem of a thing, using the roach clip beat with Spandau Ballet's 'True' in all its schmaltzy glory. Still not sure what they're saying, but who cares when it sounds this good. HOUSE PARTY Dangerous Love (Southside) 12" The label seems to be finding its sound, like the wonderful Moana 'AEIOU' single, this has a light funky back beat with the accent on the vocals. Nice production from Stuart Pearce with the Alyson Williams Sleeptalk rhythm taking most of the weight. Houseparty have a good song working here, a pop love lament that has its attractions, I'm sure you're going to agree. FRANKIE KNUCKLES The Whistle Song (Virgin) 12" Da godfather of House in a light mood, uplifting beat, jazzy flute and of course whistling. Sort of enters your head and hangs around, like you're in the supermarket buying those really expensive chips in the tube things and you start whistling this little house ditty. It's a catchy beast. Now if I were a smart radio programmer for one of those M.O.R. / A.O.R. stations I'd play the hell out of this. Then again being smart and being in radio seem to be two different things. BASSOMATIC Funky Love Vibrations (Guerilla) 12" William Orbit in a pop funk style, and very good it is too. Heavy on the retro groove effect, sounding like Stargard's 'Which Way Is Up', then the catchy soul vocals. Pleasant and Groovy KERRY BUCHANAN