Singles Bar

Rip It Up, Issue 116, 1 March 1987, Page 32

Singles Bar

Jesse Johnson (featuring Sly Stone) Crazay (A&M 12”) Yeah, it’s been on these pages before. But this is a monster remix that really cuts the groove, a reminder of what a genius Sly Stone is, a true jam-master. Great picture of Sly on the back looking real good. Janet Jackson Control (A&M 12”) Beyond anything else, a great song of personal affirmation, no one is gonna push Janet (“That’s Miss Jackson to you”) around anymore. A cleaner and more interesting mix than the one on the album, and a cool dancer. Billy Bragg Greeting to the New Brunette (Chrysalis 12”) A varied five-tracker from Britain’s own voice of conscience, the duet with Hank Wangford on ‘Deportee’ has a very nice country feel, but it’s the title track with lines like “celebrating my love for you, with a pint of beer and a new

tattoo” that should stir a few hearts. Cameo Word Up (Mercury 12”) Big hit and the best rock and roll single for ages. A bit from T Rex and even the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me’ mixed up into a big funk cocktail. Larry Blackmon is a genius of the groove and has one of the best flat tops in the business. Mantronix Who Is It (10 Records) The most exciting release this month from the duo with their fingers on the B-boy pulse. A slab of smart noise with an engaging if old fashioned rap style. More beats than a round with Boom Boom Mancini. ZZTop ZZ Top Club (Warner Bros) And they keep on coming. Another set of remixes from Jellybean and Billy Ham. I think I prefer the original version, but ‘Legs’ sounds great in this disco mix and ‘Stages’ benefits from the more upfront production. Hunters and Collectors Is There Anybody Out There? (White Label 12”) / A protest song about violence on TV, personally I reckon that’s the best place for it. Nifty use of Elvis’s ‘Little Sister’ riff and good horn lines make this memorable. Love the photo on the back, there’s

nothing like a night down at the league club. Anita Baker Caught Up in the Rapture (Elektra 7”) Taken from the tense and dramatic debut album for Ms Baker. Slightly too operatic for my tastes but truly a beautiful voice. "Rouble Funk Good to Go (Island 12”) “Take me to the bridge — go ahead.” Yes, the beat goes on, New York might hip-hop but Washington go-gos. Nothing wildly new but the rhythm still burns rubber. Lou Reed and Sam Moore Soul Man (A&M 12”) Never thought of Lou as a soul man, but he did want to be black once. But then again there’s a lot more of Sam on this than Mr Lou, he just sorta mumbles "soul man” at the end of the chorus. Method Singing perhaps. The flip has a new Sly Stone thang that doesn’t get out of gear. Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris To Know Him is to Love Him (Warner Bros 7’) Three great country stylists sing like heaven on this Spector classic. Dolly has the purest country sound, but the more urban feel of the other two fit in. Certainly the best cover of the month.

Kerry Buchanan