SINGLES BAR

Rip It Up, Issue 123, 1 October 1987, Page 34

SINGLES BAR

Stock, Aitken & Waterman ‘Roadblock’ (Body Beat 7” & 12”) James Brown has had his voice sampled to death and his funky goove applied to over 60 dance and rap thangs in just this year along. Here’s one of the best, done in “rare groove” style by the doyens of English production. The dreaded trio leave the Fairlight alone and get down with a James Brown-styled organ with a great bass and drum rhythm. As George Clinton said, “funk is its own reward.” Aerosmith ‘Dude (Looks Likea Lady)’ (WEA7”) From the other side of the tracks (so to speak) a really great slab of rock, the sort of thing the Stones used to do, nifty hooksand blazing riffs. I haven’ta clue what it means, but who cares. The picture sleeve is covered in oldstyled tattoo flashes, and looks cool as. Echo and the Bunnymen ‘ Lips Like Sugar’ (WEA 7” & 12”) I’ve never liked the band until the new album, and this is the best track. Super fine vocals with a great catchy chorus, includes the track ‘Rollercoaster’ not on the album, and here we find the Bunnymen in an excitable mood. The version of ‘People are Strange’ is hauntingly close to the Doors, but interesting in its own way. Levert Casanova’ (Atlantic 7” & 12”) Such a great feel on this that it restores your faith in dance music. The rhythm track bubbles along with just the right balance bwetween repetition and diversity. A major hit in overseas charts, and it’s sure to do the same here.

Prince ‘UGot the Look’ (Paisley Park 7” & 12”) I may be biased but I think every Prince 12“ is a work of genius. Here he out does himself, not counting the sexy romp of the A-side, the flip is a powerhouse remix of ‘Housequake,’ very Chic-like and very smart. “Jam on the one, y’all.” Debbie Gibson ‘Only in My Dreams’ (Atlantic7”&l2”) People love this already, and it has an effective pop appeal and a loose funk sound. But there’s something about that voice that annoys, as if she could be singing in a waterbed commercial. Donna Allen ‘Serious’(RCA7”& 12”) Now this is a lot better, a real sleazy feel with a nasty beat. Ms Allen sounds like she means it with that breathy style favoured by soul sirens everywhere. Best heard loud and under medication. Al Green Everything’s Going to Be Alright (A&M7”) Well we all need spiritual guidance sometimes, and the Reverend Green is my main man. In these troubled times a little bit of assurance doesn’t go amiss. Simply wonderful song, beautifully sung. Twisted Sister ‘Hot Love’(WE A 7”) Okay, do you want to know what Foreigner, Toto and Chicago do on their days off? Well they put on makeup and pretend to be a heavy metal band, and call themselves Twisted Sister. Here’s the proof, a very limp MOR rock ballad that has a little to do with love and nothing to do with hot. Listen to Motley Crue, Guns and Roses and Aerosmith and not this shit. Kerry Buchanan