Neneh Cherry | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Neneh Cherry forged a groundbreaking mix of genres in the late 80s that presaged the emergence of alternative rap and trip-hop, and through the 2010s she has gradually added to a discography filled with similarly unpredictable twists. The singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer got her start in the U.K. post-punk scene prior to making a mainstream breakthrough as a solo artist with the global smash hit "Buffalo Stance," which sent her eclectic debut album, Raw Like Sushi (1989), to the Top Ten album charts in several countries. Rather than follow the standard path of a commercial artist, Cherry has opted instead to record solo albums every few years, and has assisted on material headlined by artists ranging from Peter Gabriel to Gorillaz. During the 2010s, she recorded a series of wildly creative albums, namely The Cherry Thing (2012), Blank Project (2014), and Broken Politics (2018). Born Neneh Mariann Karlssson on March 10, 1964, in Stockholm, Sweden, Neneh Cherry is the daughter of West African percussionist Ahmadu Jah and artist Moki Cherry. Raised by her mother and trumpeter stepfather Don Cherry in Stockholm and New York City, Cherry dropped out of school at age 14, and in 1980 relocated to London to sing with the post-punk group the Cherries. Following flings with the Slits and the Nails, she joined the experimental funk/post-punk outfit Rip Rig + Panic and appeared on the groups albums God (1981), I Am Cold (1982), and Attitude (1983). When the band broke up, Cherry remained with one of the spin-off groups, Float Up CP, and led them through Kill Me in the Morning (1986). The band proved short-lived, and Cherry began rapping in a London club, where she earned the attention of a talent scout who signed her to a solo contract. Her first single, "Stop the War," railed against the invasion of the Falkland Islands. After attracting some notice singing backup on The Thes "Slow Train to Dawn" single, she became romantically and professionally involved with composer and musician Cameron McVey, who, under the alias Booga Bear, wrote much of the material that would comprise Cherrys 1989 debut LP, Raw Like Sushi. One song McVey did not write was "Buffalo Stance," the albums pre-release breakthrough single; originally tossed off as a B-side by McVeys mid-80s pop group Morgan/McVey, Cherrys version was an international smash -- Top Ten in the U.K. and Sweden, among other territories -- that neatly summarized the albums eclectic fusion of pop smarts and hip-hop energy. A pair of hits -- the eerie "Manchild" and "Kisses on the Wind" -- followed, as did a nomination for a Grammy in the category of Best New Artist (won by Milli Vanilli). Apart from a cover of Cole Porters "Ive Got You Under My Skin" for the 1990 Red Hot + Blue benefit album, she remained silent until 1992s Homebrew. A more subdued collection than Raw Like Sushi, it featured cameos from Gang Starr and R.E.M.s Michael Stipe, and writing and production assistance from Geoff Barrow prior to his emergence with Portishead. Between albums, Cherry returned to the charts in 1994 as Youssou NDours duet partner on "7 Seconds," another global hit. After another hiatus spent raising her children, she resurfaced in 1996 with Man, which featured "7 Seconds," an update of Marvin Gayes "Trouble Man," and an appearance from Tricky. A remix version of the album, simply titled Remixes, followed in 1998. Family life became a priority once again with some activity, including collaborations with Lives Edward Kowalczyk ("Walk Into This Room"), Peter Gabriel (OVO), and Gorillaz ("Kids with Gunz"), as well as recordings with her band cirKus, which carried her well into the new millennium. Cherry returned in 2012 with The Cherry Thing, for which she fronted the Thing, the experimental Scandinavian jazz trio whose founding mission was to play her stepfathers music. The album mixed originals with imaginative reworkings of songs originally recorded by the likes of Ornette Coleman, the Stooges, Suicide, and indeed, Don Cherry. In 2013, Neneh Cherry collaborated with London duo RocketNumberNine on their album MeYouWeYou, and worked with them on her her long-awaited fourth proper studio album, Blank Project. Produced by Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet), the album was released in 2014 and consisted of originals written by Cherry with McVey and Paul Simm. Another set with Hebden on production, Broken Politics, followed in 2018. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 8 Title: Raw Like Sushi Released: 1989-06-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 46:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Buffalo Stance (05:42) 2 Manchild (03:52) 3 Kisses on the Wind (03:57) 4 Inna City Mamma (04:50) 5 The Next Generation (05:06) 6 Love Ghetto (04:29) 7 Heart (05:09) 8 Phoney Ladies (03:54) 9 Outré Risqué Locomotive (05:05) 10 So Here I Come (04:02) |
| Raw Like Sushi : Allmusic album Review : Those arguing that the most individualistic R&B and dance music of the late 80s and early to mid-90s came out of Britain could point to Neneh Cherrys unconventional Raw Like Sushi as a shining example. An unorthodox and brilliantly daring blend of R&B, rap, pop, and dance music, Sushi enjoyed little exposure on Americas conservative urban contemporary radio formats, but was a definite underground hit. Full of personality, the singer/rapper is as thought-provoking as she is witty and humorous when addressing relationships and taking aim at less-than-kosher behavior of males and females alike. Macho homeboys and Casanovas take a pounding on "So Here I Come" and the hit "Buffalo Stance," while women who are shallow, cold-hearted, or materialistic get lambasted on "Phoney Ladies," "Heart," and "Inna City Mamma." Cherrys idealism comes through loud and clear on "The Next Generation," a plea to take responsibility for ones sexual actions and give children the respect and attention they deserve. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 8 Title: Homebrew Released: 1992-10-20 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sassy (02:33) 2 Money Love (03:39) 3 Move With Me (05:18) 4 I Aint Gone Under Yet (04:03) 5 Twisted (04:37) 6 Buddy X (02:49) 7 Somedays (03:35) 8 Trout (05:03) 9 Peace in Mind (05:34) 10 Red Paint (05:28) |
| Homebrew : Allmusic album Review : Neneh Cherry doesnt get into the studio nearly often enough. Three years passed before the British singer/rapper came out with a second album. Thankfully, she more than lived up to the tremendous promise of Raw Like Sushi on the equally magnificent and risk-taking Homebrew. Cherry shows no signs of the dreaded sophomore slump -- everything on the CD is a gem. She triumphs with a seamless and unorthodox blend of hip-hop, R&B, dance music, and pop, and on "Money Love" and "Trout," the presence of R.E.M.s Michael Stipe brings rock to the eclectic mix. As humorous as Cherry can be, her reflections on relationships and social issues are often quite pointed. While "Money Love" decries the evils of materialism, the moving "I Aint Gone Under Yet" describes an inner-city womans determination not to be brought down by the poverty and drugs that surround her. And "Twisted" is about keeping yourself sane in a world gone insane. Unfortunately, Homebrew wasnt the commercial breakthrough Cherry was more than deserving of. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 8 Title: Man Released: 1996-08-29 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Woman (04:30) 2 Feel It (05:41) 3 Hornbeam (05:02) 4 Trouble Man (03:57) 5 Golden Ring (03:40) 6 7 Seconds (04:59) 7 Kootchi (05:06) 8 Beastiality (02:49) 9 Carry Me (04:22) 10 Together Now (03:11) 11 Everything (04:58) |
| Man : Allmusic album Review : Neneh Cherry, the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and "rapstress" who burst onto the scene in 1989 with the mega-hit "Buffalo Stance," did not even see the release of her third album, Man, in the United States. This set differs from her previous efforts in that there is absolutely no rap to be found anywhere on the disc, and all of the songs are slow-burning, midtempo alt-rock numbers, as opposed to anything remotely resembling dance or rap (though there are some hip-hop styled beats). There are really no immediate hits on this album, although it includes the international chart-topping duet with Youssou NDour, "7 Seconds," as well as several other highlights, including "Woman," "Hornbeam," and "Everything." Also included here is a tribute cover she recorded of Marvin Gayes "Trouble Man." The album is a high-quality collection of alt-rock womens anthems, at times bluesy, at times folksy, and much more akin to her previous rock-leaning effort Homebrew than her breakthrough Raw Like Sushi. The songs have an organic, earthy feel, in tune with the Lilith Fair alternative-style musical movement going on at the time. A good deal of alterna-sexual references are found, especially considering some of the song titles (first single "Kootchi" and "Beastiality," to mention two). A solid album, but definitely not very commercial. Still, it should have been given a chance in the U.S. market, especially given her previous track record. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 8 Title: Remixes Released: 1997 Tracks: 7 Duration: 41:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kootchi (Air remix) (04:38) 2 Beastiality (Christophe Monier remix) (06:15) 3 Carry Me (Emmanuel Top remix) (07:22) 4 Everything (Sulee B Wax remix) (04:45) 5 Feel It (Sub-Vision remix) (06:05) 6 Feel It (Doctor L. remix) (06:43) 7 Woman (La Funk Mob remix) (06:02) |
 | Album: 5 of 8 Title: The Cherry Thing Released: 2012-06-18 Tracks: 8 Duration: 51:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cashback (05:59) 2 Dream Baby Dream (08:25) 3 Too Tough to Die (05:14) 4 Sudden Moment (08:27) 5 Accordion (06:10) 6 Golden Heart (04:43) 7 Dirt (06:48) 8 What Reason Could I Give (05:18) |
| The Cherry Thing : Allmusic album Review : The Cherry Thing features vocalist and songwriter Neneh Cherry fronting the brilliant, provocative Scandinavian the Thing, whose members are saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love. The latter are a diverse vanguard jazz group whose name comes from a tune by Don Cherry; their founding mission was to play his music. Theyve since expanded to cover rock tunes and play their own compositions. For those who remember only Cherrys pop hits, this may seem a radical departure, but its actually a return of sorts. She began her career in the 1980s as a teen vocalist in post-punk outfits Rip Rig & Panic and Float Up CP; both melded free jazz and angular funk. She is a natural collaborator -- shes worked with Pulp, Tricky, the The, and Gorillaz. There are two originals here. Cherrys confrontational love song "Cashback" opens a set that melds syncopated, acoustic jazz funk and post-millennial soul. Gustafssons jazz tune "Sudden Moment" features wonderful twinned phrasing by the saxophonist and Cherry before opening into an improvisational sprawl. Of the covers, the nearly nine-minute version of Suicides "Dream Baby Dream" puts Bruce Springsteens contrived version to shame. In the Cherry Things embrace, it is no less ethereal than the original, but far more sinister; Cherrys honeyed croon keeps the beautiful melodic core intact, even as she becomes ever more insistent, showing her dominant authority. Her accompanists build a gorgeous wall of atmospheric tension behind her. Martina Topley-Birds "Too Tough to Die" begins sparsely and slowly before Cherry and Gustafsson enter and begin pushing, charging at the lyric edges. Cherrys vocal is emboldened with risk, turning the melody in on itself and ululating against the baritone horn. The rhythm sections answers with syncopated breaks and funk. MF Dooms "Accordion" and the Stooges "Dirt" may seem like choices from opposite ends of the spectrum, but are complementary here. Both are sparse, threatening, and poignant, the former tinged with implied violence, and the latter -- the finest groove-laden cover of the tune ever recorded -- smolders with raw, dark sensuality. Between them is papa Cherrys "Golden Heart," an otherworldly meld of Middle Eastern modes and textures and a skeletal lyric frame that displays this groups command of diverse musical languages. Closer "What Reason Could I Give" is a less refined, more mournful blues-oriented take on Ornette Colemans "What a Reason" (one of his few tunes that features lyrics). Its nearly mournful presentation, with gorgeous jazz singing by Cherry and restrained yet adventurous soloing by Gustafsson and Håker Flaten, make the tune drip with longing. The Cherry Thing is a collaboration whose immediacy, dynamic, and motion are organic; its creative originality singular. It unabashedly and nakedly displays its seams and inspirations. It is a serious contender for any representative year-end list. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 8 Title: The Cherry Thing Remixes Released: 2012-11-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:05:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 What Reason Could I Give (remixed by Kim Hiorthøy) (04:47) 2 Dream Baby Dream (remixed by Four Tet) (08:45) 3 Accordion (remixed by Hortlax Cobra) (04:51) 4 What Reason Could I Give (remixed by Carmen Villain) (04:35) 5 Accordion (remixed by Jim ORourke) (06:12) 6 Cashback (remix by Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas) (09:54) 7 Sudden Moment (remixed by Merzbow) (08:23) 8 Golden Heart (remixed by Nymph) (05:01) 9 Dirt (remixed by Kurzmann) (06:02) 10 Golden Heart (Poole Blount Legacy dub) (remixed by Lasse Marhaug) (06:41) |
| The Cherry Thing Remixes : Allmusic album Review : The Cherry Thing, an album which paired vocalist Neneh Cherry with provocative Scandinavian jazz trio the Thing, was one of the more welcome surprises of 2012. A collection of covers and originals, it offered the very best of both worlds, with the vocalists souled-out croon and hip-hop sass meeting the sometimes-noisy, almost rock-like attack of the Thing. The Cherry Thing Remixes features a group of heavy-hitting friends including Four Tet, Jim ORourke, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas, Merzbow, Lasse Marhaug, and others revisioning the albums tracks. Four Tets lengthy remix of "Dream Baby Dream" uses vibraphone samples and a double-time house rhythm, and gradually weaves in brass instruments playing a shimmering little vamp as Cherrys voice is multi-tracked in cadences that almost, but not quite, sync. Ingebrigt Håker Flatens bassline remains, but Paal Nilssen-Loves drum kit doesnt begin accenting the sampled beats until about halfway through. Eventually, Mats Gustafssons saxophone goes head to head in an orgiastic free jazz freakout that remains rhythmically intact. ORourkes version of "Accordion" actually references Madvillains original in places, beginning slowly and sparely, with only a loop of Håker Flatens bass and Gustafssons tenor wafting in from the rear. Eventually, as Cherrys vocal enters the forefront, Nilssen-Loves drums, layers of home-made percussion, and noise are added to offer a clattering, hair-raising finish that sounds like it was recorded in a tunnel. Merzbows "Sudden Moment" sets the band against itself, playing its own sense of skronk and counterpoint. As Cherry sings from the margins, drums, distortion, and industrial sounds take the track into the stratosphere. More conventional is the remix of Cherrys "Cashback" by Lindstrøm and Thomas, with an army of kalimbas, hand percussion, and drum loops, marimbas, vibes, shakers, and other African and Latin percussion, before guitars and keyboards usher in a funky urgency and create a massive garage/dancefloor orgy. Ultimately, Cherry Thing Remixes takes the source albums tunes and extrapolates on them as themes, not only creatively but appreciatively. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 8 Title: Blank Project Released: 2014-02-24 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:16:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Across the Water (03:28) 2 Blank Project (04:04) 3 Naked (03:57) 4 Spit Three Times (04:18) 5 Weightless (05:46) 6 Cynical (04:10) 7 422 (05:20) 8 Out of the Black (05:15) 9 Dossier (05:11) 10 Everything (07:20) 1 Out of the Black (Joe Goddards the Black Friday remix radio edit) (03:41) 2 Everything (Villalobos & Loderbauer: Vilod High Blood Pressure mix) (10:20) 3 Out of the Black (Bouvet radio edit) (03:22) 4 Everything (Villalobos & Loderbauer: Vilod Low Blood Pressure mix) (10:24) |
| Blank Project : Allmusic album Review : Compared to Neneh Cherrys three proper solo albums, the last of which was released in 1996, Blank Project is from another dimension. Its in line with her post-punk roots in the Slits, Rip Rig & Panic, New Age Steppers, and Float Up CP and, to a lesser extent, her 2000s output with family affair cirKus. Blank Project is also something of a continuation of The Cherry Thing, a 2012 album on which she was backed by the Thing -- a Scandinavian jazz trio inspired by her stepfather Don Cherry. Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet, remixed that collaborations cover of Suicides "Dream Baby Dream," and he produced these songs, with instrumentation from by RocketNumberNines Ben and Tom Page. Cherry co-wrote all the material with varying combinations of writers, including the Pages, longtime creative partner and husband BoogaBear, the late Cole Williams, Paul Simm, and Hebden. Recorded briskly in five days, the album begins with a chill in the form of "Across the Water," where sparse, crawling percussion accompanies Cherry as she grieves, "Since mothers gone, it always seems to rain" and "My fears for my daughters." The title track then propels the album into the first of several stark pieces that involve the Pages hurtling drums and protrusive synthesizers. Their work suits baleful and agitated words that have sharpness even when Cherry delivers them with sweetness. Nervous energy -- taut and circular drum patterns, sing-songy vocal projections, raw barbs -- rarely recedes. When it does, as on "Spit Three Times" and "422," the results are just as penetrating. In the former, Cherry casually flicks "Youre addicted to me/Leave me alone" and then, seconds later, trails off with "Im addicted to you." The latter is one of the bleakest and most moving moments in Cherrys career, if only for "Thoughts that curl up your toes/All the bullshit that gets up your nose." Friend Robyn joins in on "Out of the Black," but the mood hardly lifts, with imagery of tied hands, mourners, and wolf packs over steady drums and tremulous synthesizers. From front to back, Blank Project is riveting uneasy listening. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 8 Title: Broken Politics Released: 2018-10-19 Tracks: 12 Duration: 13:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Fallen Leaves (?) 2 Kong (04:24) 3 Poem Daddy (?) 4 Synchronised Devotion (?) 5 Deep Vein Thrombosis (?) 6 Faster Than the Truth (?) 7 Natural Skin Deep (04:41) 8 Shot Gun Shack (03:57) 9 Black Monday (?) 10 Cheap Breakfast Special (?) 11 Slow Release (?) 12 Soldier (?) |