SINGLES bAR

Rip It Up, Issue 122, 1 September 1987, Page 42

SINGLES bAR

Michael Jackson ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ (Epic & 12”) The talking bit is extreme, Michael goes OTT with the desire to get real close. The rest sounds dangerously close to Air Supply, but hell I like it a lot. The Badalbum is super good, with this single being a minor track. A true star. Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ (Parlophone & 12”) Where would gay culture be without the tragic diva? Judy, Billie, and of course, Dusty. The Pet Shop Boys pay homage on this Euro-disco workout. Dusty is wonderful and yes, tragic. An extremely good sound that combines a 60s feel with modern sensibilities and makes this a winner. Paul Johnson ‘Half a World Away’ (CBS 7” & 12”) His last song was shamefully ignored, but who could escape the sonder of this one. Emotive chorus and effective time changes emphasise the gospel feel. Sure makes you mighty mighty real. Sherrick ‘Just Call’ (Warners 7”) Soul find of the month. In the Vandross style, it moves like a cat and is cool as Campari and soda. A ballad but a fine dance track, Mr Sherrick

looks good, with one of those little moustaches and everything. Alexander O’Neal ‘Fake’(Epic 12”) Great hunk of danceability, with expimp Mr O’Neal, who looks good in the Armani suits, and is one mean singer. Produced with evil in mind by Jam and Lewis — nasty is not the word. Essential listening. Terence Trent D’Arby ‘Wishing Well’ (CBS 7” & 12”) Love the drum intro and the cute melody bit. Of course TTD sings well enough to be called the new soul king, but he’s a little too clever and knowing to be deeply felt. Still, a massive sound. 4 Beastie Boys ‘She’s Crafty’/ 1 No Sleep ti 11 Brooklyn’ (CBS 7” & 12”) Two of the best from the wild boys of pop. ‘She’s Crafty’ is about going girl crazy and a beginner’s guide to the new sexism. ‘No Sleep’ is Motorhead with Converse Allstars on. Some of the great minds of our generation, footloose and fancy free. Cabaret Voltaire ‘Don’t Argue’ (Parlophonel 2”) “Hey lets get funky, have some black chick in the chorus, and repeat stuff a lot.” It’s not really that bad, just very ordinary. New Order ‘Tirue Faith’ (Factory 7” & 12”) It’s beyond me that attraction this band has. The backing track sounds like the previous one, and the singer sounds sick. I keep on expecting it to break into ‘Blue Monday’ any minute now...

Chris Isaak ‘Blue Hotel’ (Warners 7”) Really a country song, with all the good qualities that country can give. Very interesting feel with a great guitar sound and a moody sadness about it. Errol Brown ‘Personal Touch’ (Warners 7” &12”) Damn, I wanted this to be real good. But not up to the usual Brown excellence. He sings well, but the actual song lacks bite. Grandmaster Flash ‘All Wrapped Up’ (Elektra 7”) In the face of Def Jam and retro rappers like Eric B, this sounds a bit light. The flipside is more interesting, nice cutting and turntable action. Still, it would be foolish to dismiss the Grandmaster, check out the album if you can. Kerry Buchanan