"Silly Games" by Janet Kay, Lover's Rocks Finest

I Miss Music pays homage to a well-deserved Throw Back Choon, Silly Games by Janet Kay

Listening to this the other week brought back some delightful childhood memories and some old skool dance moves. 1979 was the release date of Silly Games for British Queen of Lover's Rock, Janet Kay. I was just a 'liccle yout' back then, but with its chart topping status, mainstream radio play and the 12 inch vinyl copy being owned (or on loan) in the home of almost every West Indian family I knew, Silly Games was both popular and unforgettable.

I particularly remember this choon being played at every West Indian houseparty... Adults and children rubbing out someone's poor living room carpet with their shoes because it was "their song", everyone knew the words and the traditional Lover's Rock bud dah, bud ah, doof , ching ching beat. Folks would try and sing in the same high key as Janet, sounding like alley cats, but without a care in the world because they were feeling the vibe.

Silly Games is still frequently played at clubs on Ragga/Dancehall nights, as a revival choon. My kids 21 and 11 were not impressed as I drowned Silly Games into their ears. What do the youth of today know about great music classics huh? Recognise!

Brownstone Throwback (A Tribute)

This Ol' Skool R&B treasure is a throwback to some good 'Ghetto Soul' music and also a tribute to a friend who recently passed away.

Back in 1994 when I was a young single mother living in the heart of the ghetto, music was a huge comfort to those on the low income struggle with the realities of the hard knock life thrown in. My peers and myself were musically influenced by ragga, rap and the new wave of contemporary R&B that was making major breakthroughs within the UK music scene.

"If You Love Me" was a catchy Slow Jam with a Swing Beat. Big on the radio, in the clubs and my friend G's playlist (- cassette in those days). I'm telling you, G outsung IYLM, probably more than Brownstone did. It was her "badass choon dat". I'll always be reminded of her whenever I hear it and smile with the fondest memories.

IYLM reached NO 8 in the UK singles chart in 1994.  

Alexander O'Neal - 'If You Were Here Tonight'

Everybody loves a good old 80's Slow Jam and Alexander O'Neal was running things back in the 80's with a string of R&B hits.

I was around 11 years old when 'If You Were Here Tonight' was a hit back in 1986.  All the R&B heads loved this track and it was pretty successful mainstream in the UK, reaching number 13 in the singles charts.  I'm a fan of Alexander, he released some unforgettable classics.  However, 'If You Were Here Tonight' was just pure 80's lush.  The grown folk would get all smoochy and loved up at parties to this, whilst the kids would swing to synths and sing "If you could only know my feelings.  You would know how much I doo beeelieeve".  

Check out the video for a full flavour of the 80's.  The clothes, Alexander's moustache.  Love it!

Happy Birthday Miss Tina Turner

Today is the 73rd birthday of female rock and roll icon, Tina Turner.  

Simply Tina!

Tina Turner was born on this day, 26th November in 1939.  She started her musical career in the mid-50's and is noted as one of the most famous female Rock icons.

As an 80s kid, Tina's music was heavily influential on my musical ears so it's only fair that on this day, I honour her by posting a favourite classic...an electrifying performance of Proud Mary, courtesy of youtube ...Rock out!

To see the full birthday tribute go to >>>Happy Earthday Tina Turner <<<

In The Spotlight - Terrence Trent D'arby

The two biggest talent shows on UK TV (The Voice BBC1 and Britain's Got Talent) both featured contestants singing Terrence Trent D'arby's 80's smash hit Sign Your Name Across My Heart. I'm not fit to judge anybody but I think Tyler James (The Voice) did a better job. My TV was on maximum and I liked what (little) I heard. Of course, me singing along (badly) made my curious daughter want to know how I knew the song so well and who sung it originally.

Well... back to the 80's I travelled down memory lane. When Terrence released his debut single If You Let Me Stay in 1987 his 'prancing' around stage was a bit too much for me. Also with his one short, one tall male backing singers a lot of people were certain he was just another gimmick artist (Jermaine Stewart was one amongst a few) and there was a lot of curiosity about his sexuality, especially as he busted a braided bob. It was when he released the bluesy ballad Sign Your Name that I sat up and noticed. Terrence's raspy and refined vocals over that unforgettable beat had everybody singing along back then. I never bought the album Introducing The Hardline According To Terrence Trent D'arby (UK sales 5x platinum) but follow up singles Wishing Well and the funky rocky pop Dance Little Sister were big and lasting favourites of mine.

A FUNKTASTIC LIVE RECORDING OF TERRENCE PERFOMING DANCE LITTLE SISTER

Terrence's vocal saxophone in the bridge of Dance Little Sister “Do Do Do Doooo, Do Do Do, Do Do Do Do Du Du Do, Do Do Dooo” was the catchiest thing ever. Some critics compared him as a cross between James Brown and Prince and its clear to see influences were there, the dancing style of the former and the effeminate image of the latter. I regret not appreciating his art enough back then as its hard for me to recapture the magic but I hope music lovers who were around in the 80's do recognise his talent and the impact his music made on pop back then.

Terence Trent D'arby Pictures

After his 1993 album Symphony Or Damn which released the rocky She Kissed Me and the beautiful ballad Let Her Down Easy Terrence disappeared from the charts and as there wasn't the internet access we're fortunate to have now, it was hard to follow up on what he was doing. He officially changed his name to Sananda Maitreya in 2001 and still records music.

Sananda! I've had a blessed and funky weekend watching your videos on Youtube and sharing that magic with my kids. Unforgettable music I'm eternally grateful for, I salute you.

Check out Terrence Trent D'arby's hits on my mixpod in the side bar

© Donna Woolcock 2012

Sundays Song: Poison Bell Biv Devoe

Don't ask me why this song is in my head this Sunday, maybe it's the heat of the Spring hitting me after such a long cold Winter.  Beats, Swing, Hip Hop delicious.  'Poison' was released in 1990 and all headz were pumping out to this classic.  Even the ladies were quite happy to sing "Never trust a big but and a smile".  Check out the clothes and the hair in the above video, not forgetting the dance moves. Choon!