Category: Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

BEVERLY HILLS COP II (by Various Artists: 1987 film soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 27, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 45:14 Min.

MCA Records released the movie soundtrack for 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II. Notably, none of composer Harold Faltermeyer’s instrumental tracks are included – unlike the original film’s soundtrack. This 1987 album subsequently peaked at # 8 on U.S. Billboard charts. Bob Seger’s popular lead-off tune, “Shakedown,” would later earn nominations in 1988 for ‘Best Original Song’ at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.

The eleven-track album consists of the following:

Shakedown (by Bob Seger) (4:01)
Be There (by The Pointer Sisters) (4:17)
In Deep (by Charlie Sexton) (3:34)
Hold On (by Corey Hart) (3:46)
I Want Your Sex (by George Michael) (4:47)
Better Way (by James Ingram) (4:10)
Love/Hate (by Pebbles) (4:02)
Cross My Broken Heart (by The Jets) (4:12)
36 Lovers (by Ready For The World) (4:19)
I Can’t Stand It (by Sue Ann Carwell) (4:04)
All Revved Up (by Jermaine Jackson) (4:02)

The album is currently available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

REVIEW:

Thirty-seven years later, Bob Seger’s “Shakedown” is still a dynamite tune to add to any rock or movie hits playlist. Still, one can obtain the track off a Seger’s greatest hits project, as opposed to locating it on this album misfire. Aside from solid entries from Seger, The Pointer Sisters, and James Ingram, this album would frankly pass as a bland mid-80’s R&B compilation.

When compared to the original Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, there’s nothing remarkable about this sequel effort. Instead, it’s a precursor to a ‘90s film soundtrack trend utilizing forgettable rock/pop tunes (not actually used for the advertised movie) as glorified padding. Hence, the sales gimmick became the dubious ‘inspired by’ portion of soundtracks. The same applies to Beverly Hills Cop II where musical substance is hardly its top objective.

The total exclusion of Harold Faltermeyer’s score isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. Still, given the album’s actual content, the producers’ intent was solely on potential radio play. Case in point: though apt for its scene at the Playboy Mansion estate, George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex” serves up bottom-of-the-barrel pop trash. Dragging down the rest of the album, Michael’s cringe-worthy track makes Beverly Hill Cop II’s playlist kid-unfriendly for no good reason.

The album’s most practical option for finding a physical copy is either at a garage sale or a discount retailer. Otherwise, hearing this soundtrack once digitally may prove more than sufficient.

Note: Pursuant to his song’s own radio popularity, George Michael (who also wrote “I Want Your Sex”) scored an award much deserved: a 1987 Razzie for ‘Worst Song.’

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

DRAGNET ’88 (by The Art of Noise – inspired by 1987’s Dragnet movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 27, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:59 Min.

From the 1987 Dragnet film soundtrack, British synthesizer-pop group (The) Art of Noise supplies this homage title tune.

Film dialogue clips from co-stars Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Dabney Coleman, and narrator Bill Wittman are included (and often repeated) to give the song a remix-style take on composer Ira Newborn’s instrumental opening credits track. The tune appears (in a different form) on the soundtrack as “Dragnet (Danger Ahead/Dragnet March).”

One might consider “Dragnet ‘88” a companion piece for another of the soundtrack’s inclusions, “City of Crime,” performed by Aykroyd and Hanks.

REVIEW:

For non-fans, this upbeat, synthesizer-heavy track will probably get old fast. Still, fans of Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks’ Dragnet film will likely find this playful Art of Noise tune a welcome treat. “Dragnet ’88,” suffice to say, makes for a fun throwaway on a road trip or movie hits playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

BAD BOY (by Miami Sound Machine – from 1985’s Primitive Love)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 27, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:53 Min.

Off Miami Sound Machine’s 1985 studio album, Primitive Love, “Bad Boy” is its fourth track. The tune’s subsequent Cats-inspired music video received regular airplay on MTV and VH1.

REVIEW:

Between Gloria Estefan’s endearing vocals and a delightful dance-pop melody, “Bad Boy” remains an endearing tune nearly forty years later. Though this upbeat tune is overshadowed by other tunes in Estefan’s considerable repertoire, it merits a chance for re-discovery.

The playful charm of “Bad Boy” supplies a welcome addition to any home or road trip playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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MANHUNT (by Karen Kamon – from 1983’s Flashdance soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 27, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:36 Min.

From 1983’s Flashdance movie soundtrack, Karen Kamon performs its fourth tune: “Manhunt.” Going a full year after the album’s initial release, “Manhunt” also subsequently became the soundtrack’s fourth released single. As of this writing, the Flashdance soundtrack (currently available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats) is the only source to find “Manhunt.”

REVIEW:

Superficially, this Early 80’s dance-pop tune isn’t all that remarkable. Given the same soundtrack’s multiple award-winning/nominated pop hits (i.e. Irene Cara’s “Flashdance … What A Feeling!,” and Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”), it isn’t surprising that Karen Kamon’s sexually assertive tune has been overshadowed for more than forty years. Still, when given a chance, this track’s catchy melody and Kamon’s appealing vocals make “Manhunt” a better song than one might assume.

Hence, the sultry charm of “Manhunt” merits consideration for any retro-dance, movie hits, or road trip playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (by Lani Hall & Michel Legrand: Never Say Never Again movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 18, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:06 Min.

Off 1983’s Never Say Never Again movie soundtrack, the film’s title tune is performed by vocalist Lani Hall and its composer, Michael Legrand. The song’s lyrics were co-written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

Though “Never Say Never Again” may be hard to find on vinyl or CD, this track is available digitally. Also, one can watch online the song’s 1983 music video featuring a black tuxedo-clad Hall.

REVIEW:

Though the tune is reminiscent of a chintzy ‘80s lounge act, Lani Hall’s slyly effervescent vocals make up the difference. In that sense, this song works beautifully accompanying Sean Connery’s last on-screen adventure as James Bond.

Bolstered by Michel Legrand’s jazzy melody, Hall’s effort is catchier than her same year’s James Bond competition: Rita Coolidge’s “All Time High” from Roger Moore’s competing Octopussy. Though neither tune is a must-have (frankly, they rate about the same), there’s a worthwhile factor to consider.

While Coolidge conveys a breezy easy listening treat reminiscent of Carly Simon, “All-Time High” is instantly forgettable. Hall’s playful “Never Say Never Again” pop vocal performance, conversely, merits a chance for re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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BACK TO LIFE (HOWEVER DO YOU WANT ME) (by Soul II Soul: 1989’s Club Classics, Volume One aka Keep On Movin’)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date August 27, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:47 Min.

Released on May 29, 1989, by British R&B group, Soul II Soul, “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” was featured on the band’s 1989 debut album: Club Classics, Volume One in the United Kingdom. The album’s U.S. title is Keep On Movin’.

Inspired by lead vocalist/co-writer Caron Wheeler’s near-death experience, the dance song’s popularity would inspire a MTV/VH-1 music video. The tune ultimately would win the 1990 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. Since that time, “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” occasionally resurfaces on compiliation projects, as well as the band’s 10th Anniversary release of their debut album.

REVIEW:

Though the lyrics are perhaps too repetitive, in terms of its primary chorus, this song’s exuberance still holds up nearly thirty-five years later. Backed by a terrific R&B melody, Caron Wheeler’s effervescent vocals are undeniably the song’s best asset. For R&B and dance playlists, this catchy Soul II Soul track is definitely worth a solo download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU {Cover} (by Adanna Duru: American Idol Season XIV)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:08 Min.

In 2015, American Idol contestant Adanna Duru covered Joan Jett’s 1988 rock hit, “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” Duru’s rendition was subsequently released as a single and as a track for the season’s Top 11 album.

Note: Duru finished in 10^th/11^th place in American Idol’s fourteenth season.

REVIEW:

Despite Idol’s instrumentals reasonably mimicking Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ hard rock melody, Adanna Duru’s vocals are initially bubblegum tame. Hence, one is left anticipating a weak rendition of Jett’s tune directed at Disney+ programming. Yet, once she gets comfortably warmed up, Duru’s second half of the song comes alive. Duru doesn’t echo Jett so much as she finally pushes her vocal efforts to fit the lyrics, not to mention the song’s energetic vibe.

Even if her cover doesn’t justify a solo download, Duru’s take on Joan Jett is still fairly solid.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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NEVER FORGET {Cover} (by Jehramae Trangia: 2017 single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:49 Min.

In 2017, Filipino singer Jehramae Trangia (then a teenager) covered Michelle Pfeiffer’s ballad, “Never Forget,” from the soundtrack of the same-year film, Murder on the Orient Express. From her ‘music video,’ it appears that Trangia is singing off a pre-recorded instrumental of “Never Forget” (possibly one from the film itself).

REVIEW:

It is inevitable that the youthful Trangia would fall short of Pfeiffer’s mellow sound imbuing the song’s haunting context. Still, Trangia’s likable vocals interprets “Never Forget” perhaps more as a tragically-fated young romance. If so, her version would be hypothetically ideal to accompany a teenage ghost story film.

Overall, with this cover as evidence, then Trangia’s potential suggests a bright future in the recording industry.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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BEND TIME BACK ‘ROUND (by Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 29, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:56 Min.

First released in 1992 on the Beverly Hills 90210 TV soundtrack, this dance-pop tune was not a track on any original Paula Abdul album. However, it has been subsequently included on at least two Abdul retrospective compilations: 2000’s Greatest Hits and 2007’s Greatest Hits: Straight Up!

REVIEW:

It’s vintage Abdul, as far as this tune sounding like some lost relic from 1988’s Forever Your Girl album. Both Abdul’s endearing vocal performance and a catchy Late 80’s dance melody make the most of the song’s unremarkable lyrics. For Paula Abdul fans, the energetic “Turn Time Back ‘Round” is a nostalgic pop treat, in large part due to its relative obscurity.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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