Whither Stock/Aitken/Waterman? Producers: Tough Going Despite Hits man hits were assigned by any label FORPYITRAX BY BRIAN CHIN or a &r person. "If we waited LONDON If a worldwide No. 1 hit around for work, we wouldn't have by Brian Chin single doesn't start a stampede to a produced any hits." producer's door, what will? That's a The team is acutely aware of the IT'S ONE OF THOSE PERIODS ords: "Turntable Terror Trax, Vol. Bastone; sonic sticklers should hear question that baffles Pete Water- time -sensitive nature of current when styles have settled in and it's 1" on New Jersey's Bassment label the sparkling, high -resolution mas- man, the opinionated club -DJ- street sounds. It is known for the fairly easy to categorize any given (201- 963- 1560), a four -cut EP that tering job on this 45-rpm disk. turned-producer and spokesman for lightning speed with which its proj- record. In the hard -core dance out- copies, exactly, each of the well - the / /Pete ects and elaborate emerge put of the independents, that means known variations on the house BRIEFLY: "Sexy," the second sin- Waterman team. The trio was be- from the control room. that most records are composed of theme, from Marshall Jefferson's gle from Masters Of Ceremony hind 's "Venus," which The team's recent production of variable proportions of '70s New high- energy marches ( "Love At- (Strong City), is one of the best fu- topped the international charts last the Atlantic trio Brilliant appears to York /Philly groove, Chicago weird- tack") to the booming bass drum of sions of New York rap and the fall. have drawn the most praise from ness, and Miami Latin /pop- . "House On Fire" ... From Chicago: Brooklyn West Indian influence, Operating out of the London - the industry. "But we'd starve on Two examples, both with very re- Master C & J's "Face It" (State from the bass groove to the fast - based PWL Studios, the team has the royalties from Brilliant record spectable starting buzzes: Wally Street) follows up one of the spacier style reggae rap; significantly, per- worked on a string of club cross- sales," says Waterman. Jump Jr. & the Criminal Element's jack tracks of the year with a haps, it's a kiss, not a dis, to the over hits for such diverse artists as Neither guitarist Aitken nor key - first nonanswer record, "Turn Me smoother bass groove, adding a women ... DJ Polo & Kool G's Dead Or Alive, Princess, O'Chi boardist Stock has ever been to the Loose" (Criminal), brings together a suggestive monolog ... Jungle "It's A Demo" (Cold Chillin', 1966 Brown, Divine, and, most recently, U.S. Yet, such productions as Prin- Sam & Dave -style vocal and a fleet - Wonz' "The Jungle" (Trax) adds Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10023) Mel & Kim since opening up shop cess' "Say I'm Your Number One" footed beatbox track, halfway be- jazzy scatting and mouth percus- is a hard James Brown beat that's two years ago. Mel & Kim's single and Brown's "Whenever You Need tween the airiness of house and the sion to a track notable for its use of gotten some good early mix -show "Showing Out" was a huge Decem- Somebody" have been deemed au- wallop of New York neosoul in al- the cymbal button. coverage; the flip, "I'm Fly," makes ber sleeper hit that peaked at No. 3 thentic enough by U.S. radio and ternate Arthur Baker and Tim Re- the case for rap as '80s surf music - on the U.K. pop chart during what club programmers to have hit the gisford mixes; Nitro Deluxe's MORE SINGLES: Judy Torres' as detailed a picture of time, place, was a fiercely competitive period. It top 20 on the Hot Black Singles "Let's Get Brutal" b/w "The Brutal "No Reason To Cry" (Jackie Jack, fashion, and music as anything Bri- has since been acquired by Atlantic chart and No. 1 on the Hot Dance/ House" (Cutting, 212 -733-3063) re- 212 -733-3063), produced by Mickey an Wilson or Jan Berry ever wrote. for U.S. distribution. Disco Club Play chart, respectively. produces the open -endedness of the Garcia and Elvin Molina, the team Still, no major label has yet of- The PWL company -whimsically Chicago grooves but adds a pro- behind the current C -Bank single, NOTES: Atlantic is at it again and fered the team a production job for tagged an empire -now encom- nounced Latin element -all that's gives some New York competition seems to be buying up most of Flori- any name act, says Waterman. The passes the studio; the production missing is the tape hiss. Look for an to Trinere; it's a similarly brittle, na- da. The label has picked up The only exception is Virgin, which pro- team's services for record labels extended run for this one ... Lola's sally sung track. Its boomy bottom Voice In Fashion's "Only In The posed Human League to Stock /Ait- other than the PWL -owned Su- "Wax The Van" (Jump Street) is a seems to be a trademark for the la- Night," a Miami /New York break- ken /Waterman before the group preme label; the All Boys music personal fave, powered by a deeply bel ... Giggles' "Love Letters" out on top 40 stations since October; was assigned to Jimmy Jam and publishing company; and a newly pulsating Caribbean -flavored bass (Cutting) is typically razor -edged, it plans to release the record with a Terry Lewis. launched management arm, which line (a slowed -down variant on the especially with its edit by Aldo Ma- new mix. Two more Miami break- "I don't know what kind of cre- is handling vocalist Hazel) Dean and "Do What You Wanna Do" break, rin; indistinguishable vocally from ers, "Did It Feel Like Love" by dentials we need," says Waterman, the /production /postproduc- perhaps), with some random vocals in Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, whose inex- Genuine Parts and the Wild Marys' who is quick to note that none of the tion services of PWL engineer Phil the Fats Comet /Arthur Russell style. haustible album is being revived yet "No One Knows " -to be remixed independent Stock /Aitken /Water- Harding. Meanwhile, J.M. Silk, the first of again by local radio play on "You'll by Shep Pettibone -are on tap, as the, um, house bands to make a suc- Never Change" ... Shannon, who is "Fascinated" by Company B... cessful transition to a major label, started much of this stuff, gets a MCA's "Something Wild" sound- takes a further step into the r &b good shot in with the remix of track deserves lots of credit for its mainstream in "Let The Music Take "Dancin'" (Atlantic promo), which eclectic Third World approach, e0. Control" (RCA), which is far busier is much stronger in this version which teams David Byrne with than the Chicago norm, with a lush, (mixed by Raul Rodriguez) than on salsa legend Celia Cruz; it also of- almost bright radio sound, even in the album, though it is still audibly fers Sonny Okossuns, New Order, the so- called house mix. A longer B- and EWS better produced than the street Sister Carol shoulder to shoul- side version is more characteristi- clones ... In other remixes: Jesse der. We thank New Jerseyan John zYx 5568 - D.J. FIFTY : Into the groove (a -thorn) cally bare and makes greater use of Johnson's "She (I Can't Resist)" Matarazzo for the tip ... We also ZYX 5569 - ALEPH : Fire on the moon the bass line, which is all but ob- (A &M) gets a more flowing, lighter thank Next Plateau and Rock 'N' ZYX 5567 - MIKE MAREEN : Agent of liberty zYx 6620 Tex-6.665 - P.4.F. Diamond . . . zoo 5571 PAUL LEKAKIS Boom -Boom scured in the A -side mix ... And treatment from Bruce Forest Soul's Keith Dumpson for his kind ZYX 5548 - OFF : Elettrica Salsa RIZZO : HearMaah zyx 5570 LINDA JOE ZYX 5550 - ITALO BOOT MIX Vol. 7 club DJs should also take notice of Billy Idol's "Don't Need A Gun" assistance in compiling this week's 5575 MICHAEL BEDFORD: More than a Miss lys ZYX 5573 - ATTACK : Don't Stop lys 5581 FIRST PATROL : The Streets of Miami probably the best -and best - (Chrysalis) is lengthened with a free column. ZYX 5516 - R - K.B. CAPS : Do you really need me ZYx 5572 KINKY GO: I'm a winner ZYX 5515 - MIKE MAREEN : Love Spy made-of the Chicago clone rec- postproduction hand by Freddie zyx 5578 ALBERT ONE : For your love - ZYX 5582 - MARTINA : Crazy Rhythm MEP/ 6047 KOTO : Jabdah (remis) - ZYX 5558 - NASTY BOYS : I was made for loviri ZYX 5559 - GINO SOCCIO : Magic 74KJ/C)-97974015 ZYX 5562 JOE YELLOW : Love at first MEAT LOAF'S LATEST BATTLEZONE ask' - /1/ (Continued from page 20) (Continued from page 20) s ator Frank Farian producing. Says basically just been dabbling up their mind. It also gives us some- Loaf, "This album has a feeling that around," says Di'Anno. "I'd spent thing to promote while we're gig- ßERAhIARD InIKULSKI lot DISTRIBUTION LIMITED I've had once before, with 'Bat.' I some time in Los Angeles and ging." Anpon Industrial Office Park know it's there, I know it's deep. It worked with a few friends, but Determined to build up a grass- 14515 Ave. and Hook Creek Bkva. Valley Stream. New York 11581 valeta. 516.568-1125 Tel 516 -568.3777 Manager Gunter Blum may just take a little while for peo- eventually I decided I wanted to do roots following in the U.S:, Battle - ple to discover, but they'll find it, things properly again." zone is devoting a good deal of time they'll listen." Of the decision to record Battle - to playing here. "We want to get Ellis says radio programmers and zone's debut album for independent that base in the States," says DISCO & DANCE 12" We have a complete selection of all U.S. releases and all import disco records. record buyers will get a second release -"Fighting Back" has been Di'Anno. "And, judging by the gigs U.S.A. & IMPORTS Send for our free flyer listing all titles we chance to discover "Blind Before I issued by Raw Power in the U.K. we've done so far, I think there's an (WHOLESALE FOR STORES) - RMANY stock, U.S. 8 Imports. We specialise in U.S. U SA C A N A DAE NG LANO.GE Stop" with its January rerelease. Di'Anno says, "We just wanted to audience for us." ITALYF RANCEHOL LANO small label product. CALL US. Originally issued in November, the get some product out without hav- album is being given another sales ing to wait for the majors to make US & CANADIAN 12" Used By A D.J. -MKZ Lady Valentine -Monte Christo Its You -ESP Love Hangover (rmx) -T. Ackerman shot after being "sidetracked" by Love Letter -Giggles Jane Stop This Thing-McShan Lay All Your Love- Poision #9 established- artist product during Just A Little Time -Sabita Face It- Master C&J Passion Tracking -Vol. 5 LP Hypnotic Tango (Rmx)-My Mine Whisper -Bobby 0 (87 Mix) Love Is The Cure-James & B Wells the Christmas buying season, says Bridge Is Over- Down Prod. Lust Or Love -Malibu Footprints -Miquel Brown Haunted by Love --Hita John Ready Or Not-Hotline Stop What You Do- Larabell Ellis. Gotta Jack -Dexter D&Dynasty Party-38 Street Into The Night-M. Fortunak Toward the end of last year, Loaf RECORDS Call My Number-Oh Romeo The Walk- M.T.R. Heartflash -Linda Jo Rizzo EXPORTO-DISC Turntable Terror Tracks House Nation -House Master Boyz returned to U.S. concert stages with Energy Is Eurobeat -Man 2 Man The Brutal House -Nitro Dexluxe DISCO CLASSICS several major market club dates. Lp Feat. L Holloway Holding Back -Paradise Girls It's Too Late -Tanya Wynne Lets Go-X Ray ALL ZYX 12' There is a strong possibility of a na- iaBoom Tillery On Top Of The Groove-Jomanda ALL BOBBY Os 12' +Productions U.S.A. RECORDS EXPORTER Boo L ke tional tour in coming #1 aki Love & Devotion (Rmx)-M. Bow ALL JDC 12' the months. Lady Marmalade-Secret Mission ALL DIVINE 12' Meanwhile, plans call for Loaf to Crack Attack -J.W. McGee EUROPEAN 12"S ALL LIME 12' +Lps embark on an extensive European Humpty Dumpty- Rainbow Mix Your Own (Lps) 12" LP CD visit US at Main Attraction- (Rmx) -Yo Yo Fesh -Scandal Eyes tour in February. He will also be ap- Why You Waiting --Candy J Power Run -Laser Dance n OVER 500 OTHER CLASSICS You Cant Hide -F. Knuckles Power Run -Humanoid Invasion pearing in the upcoming Tri -Star MIDEM '87 CANNES movie "Skip- Tracer," which also 855 (E) Conklin St. FRANCE New Labels stars Michael Keaton. According to JAN. 26-30 Send your UNIQUE RECORD DIST. Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735 USA STAND Ca5ótCttbó Ellis, Loaf is also set to team up 11.13 855 (El CONKLIN ST. FARMINGDALE. NY 11735 Telex: 4758254 IMPT 6 Tlsrr' again with writer Jim Steinman, 6852522 EXPT DISC. DISC PHONE 3168 Fax: 516- 694 -4594 TEL 516- 694 -4545 PvE56i n95 (516) 694 -4545 516 694x4594 475 8254 IMPT DISC mastermind of "Bat Out Of Hell." 685 2522 EXP DISC

BILLBOARD JANUARY 17, 1987 27 www.americanradiohistory.com