Day 0822 - Oedipus Schmoedipus

Barry Adamson "Oedipus Schmoedipus" (1996)

 

I really enjoyed Barry's "Moss Side Story" (see day 654) and its mix of soundtrack composer vibes (Bernard Hermann, Angelo Badalamenti et al) and sonic experimentation.

Barry continues with that sound here, but with a bit more vocal input this time around.   From the opening choir at the start of the Jarvis Cocker-featured "Set the controls for the heart of the Pelvis", the sultry "Achieved in the Valley of the Dolls", the spoken word of "Vermillion Kisses" and Barry's former Bad Seeds bandmate Nick Cave featured on "the Sweetest Embrace"

Possibly less cohesive than "Moss Side Story" but still an enjoyable collection of sounds.

Day 0648 - Raw Like Sushii

Neneh Cherry "Raw Like Sushi" (1989)

It was almost a foregone conclusion that Neneh Cherry would become an artist of some description.  She was born to a painter mother and a musician father.  After parting with Neneh's father, her mother would go on to marry jazz trumpeter Don Cherry (who famously worked with Ornette Coleman, mentioned two posts earlier).  Neneh travelled the world, played in a number of bands (including punkers the Slits), and she deejayed, exploring rap and reggae among other genres.

Her husband was a producer for the first Massive Attack album (on which Neneh would also worked).  The album has hints of that sound, of looped beats and soundscapes that feel like they have a foot in the club and a foot on the street, but with a bit more of a pop and rap slant.

Neneh promoted the strength of women, and the power of motherhood, having done tv performances heavily pregnant or carrying her infant child.  Definitely some of the songs here touch on the topic of motherhood with "Inna City Mamma" and "The Next Generation".