Promise – Power Plant and Miraval, the quiet sequel
In November 1985 Sade released Promise on Epic, a second album cut at Power Plant and Miraval that topped both the UK chart and the Billboard 200.
Afterlife Interview with Ian Curtis
Under Manchester sodium lamps, Riffs and Beats finds Ian Curtis in an overcoat, cigarette ember the only soft color.
The Strokes – Reptilia
The Strokes’ Reptilia, second single from Room on Fire (2003/04), is a lean Gordon Raphael rock cut that proved the New York five-piece could hit twice.
Grace Jones – Marble, bass and a stare
Grace Jones does not ease into a song: Compass Point sessions, Nightclubbing, and a visual method as strict as the bass.
David Bowie – Modern Love
David Bowie’s Modern Love (Let’s Dance, 1983): Nile Rodgers, Power Station, EMI opener single.
Dynamite – Funk with Matt Johnson on the kit
In June 2005, Jamiroquai released Dynamite on Sony BMG/Epic, their sixth studio album, tracked mainly at Jam Studios and Jay Kay's Chillington setup after A Funk Odyssey.
George Michael – Waiting
On Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, Waiting is a 2:27 reprise coda: soft keys, thin vocal, no victory-lap ending after Faith.
Big Soul – A California groove France claimed
A French traveler bought Big Soul's self-pressed disc on Sunset Boulevard; a DJ at Le Niel's in Paris dropped Hippy Hippy Shake and Sony France soon signed the California trio.
The Cure – A Forest
The Cure's A Forest (Seventeen Seconds, 1980): Gallup bass first, Smith chase, Fiction single, UK No. 31.
Tommy – Double opera that put the band on stage forever
In May 1969, The Who released Tommy, a double rock opera produced by Kit Lambert that turned the band from singles specialists into a long-form act.