Wikipedia

Raw Like Sushi

For the Mr. Big album, see Mr. Big discography.

Raw Like Sushi is the debut studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released 5 June 1989 by Virgin Records.[2] The album includes the commercially successful single "Buffalo Stance".

Raw Like Sushi
Studio album by
Neneh Cherry
Released5 June 1989
RecordedSeptember 1988–January 1989
Studio
Genre
Length46:11 (vinyl)
67:22 (CD)
LabelVirgin
Producer
Neneh Cherry chronology
Raw Like Sushi
(1989) 		Homebrew
(1992)
Singles from Raw Like Sushi
  1. "Buffalo Stance"
    Released: 28 November 1988[2]
  2. "Manchild"
    Released: 8 May 1989
  3. "Kisses on the Wind"
    Released: 31 July 1989 (UK)
  4. "Heart"
    Released: November 1989 (US)
  5. "Inna City Mama"
    Released: 11 December 1989

Background edit

An early version of "Buffalo Stance" appeared on the B-side of the 1986 Stock Aitken Waterman-produced Morgan-McVey single, "Looking Good Diving", titled "Looking Good Diving with the Wild Bunch".[3] The single was not successful; however, the B-side was re-recorded with Tim Simenon of Bomb the Bass, and became the version of "Buffalo Stance" that was a worldwide hit, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] #3 on the Billboard Hot 100[5] and #1 in the Netherlands[6] and Sweden.[7] The album also contains the #8 US[5] (and #20 UK[4]) hit "Kisses on the Wind", and the #5 UK hit "Manchild".[4]

All musicians and programmers are credited in the album sleeve, however Cameron McVey, Cherry's husband, is credited as "Booga Bear". Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja co-wrote "Manchild", and fellow member Andrew Vowles aka DJ Mushroom performs on "Kisses on the Wind", "The Next Generation" and "So Here I Come". "My Bitch" is a vocal duet with Gilly G.

The cover and inner photos were shot by fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Music edit

Raw Like Sushi is distinctive for its eclectic mix of genres, incorporating influences from across the trends of 1980s pop music. Cherry sings and raps accompanied by a diverse set of sounds, including pianos, synthesizers, brass instruments, guitars, and go-go percussion. The album's lyrical themes are influenced by Cherry's experiences of motherhood, and her education and upbringing.[8]

When it was released, the album was favorably compared to Madonna and Prince, though it did not reach similar popularity.

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
Chicago Tribune    [9]
Los Angeles Times     [10]
Mojo     [11]
NME9/10[12]
Pitchfork8.0/10[8]
Q     [13]
Rolling Stone     [14]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[15]
The Village VoiceA−[16]

NME critic David Quantick praised Raw Like Sushi as "the sort of record you can rarely buy – immediate, commercial pop that only someone with a rather individual worldview could have made", highlighting its unconventional song structures and Cherry's "wit, intelligence and even maturity."[12] Selina Webb of British music newspaper Music Week called it "eclectic, wholesome, a subtly teasing collection of provoking yet pouting songs", "a confident manifesto from refreshing new pop diva."[17] Pete Clark of Hi-Fi News & Record Review said that Cherry's music "is illuminated by a jazzy delight in non-conformity" and singled out "effortlessly memorable" "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild".[18] As per Chris Murray of RPM "this package contains something for any contemporary dance music fan."[19]

Raw Like Sushi was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[20]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Neneh Cherry and Cameron McVey (Booga Bear), except where indicated

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Buffalo Stance"
5:42
2."Manchild"
3:51
3."Kisses on the Wind" 3:57
4."Inna City Mamma"
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Phil Chill
4:50
5."The Next Generation" 5:04
6."Love Ghetto" 4:27
7."Heart" 5:08
8."Phoney Ladies" 3:52
9."Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Will Malone
5:04
10."So Here I Come"
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Chill
4:02
11."My Bitch" (bonus track) 5:26
12."Heart (It's a Demo)" (bonus track) 4:52
13."Buffalo Stance (Sukka Mix)" (bonus track)
  • Morgan
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Ramacon
5:20
14."Manchild (The Old School Mix)" (bonus track)
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Del Naja
5:30

Note

  • Tracks 1–10 were on the original LP. In the United Kingdom, tracks 11–14 were on the CD release while tracks 13 and 14 were on the tape cassette album.

Personnel edit

  • Neneh Cherry – lead vocals, programming
  • Sandy McLelland – backing vocals on "Inna City Mamma", "Love Ghetto" and "Phoney Ladies"
  • Chandra Armstead – backing vocals on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Eagle-Eye Cherry – toasting on "Heart"
  • Sarah Erde – Hispanic vocals on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • Cameron "Booga Bear" McVey – backing vocals, executive producer, mixing, beats on "Manchild"
  • Phil Chill – programming, beats, backing vocals on "The Next Generation"
  • Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • Nellee Hooper – vibraphone
  • Jerod Minnies – guitar on "Love Ghetto"
  • Alvin Moody – beats and programming on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Nick Plytas – programming
  • Jeff Scantlebury – congas on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • John Sharp – programming on "Manchild"
  • Tim Simenon – beats and turntables on "Buffalo Stance" and "Heart"
  • Dynamik Duo – beats
  • Mark Saunders – multi-instruments, beats on "Buffalo Stance"
  • Wil Malone – conductor, programming, string arrangements on "Manchild", backing vocals
  • Gordon Dukes – backing vocals on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Mushroom – programming, turntables on "Kisses on the Wind", "The Next Generation" and "So Here I Come"
Technical

Charts edit

Certifications and sales edit

‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd›
Certifications and sales for Raw Like Sushi
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[42] Gold 50,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[43] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[44] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[45] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[2] Platinum 300,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 2,000,000[46]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Raw Like Sushi – Neneh Cherry". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "British album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". British Phonographic Industry. 6 October 1989. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Morgan* / McVey* – Looking Good Diving". discogs.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Neneh Cherry | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Billboard > Artists / Neneh Cherry > Chart History > The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. ^ "dutchcharts.nl > Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. ^ "swedishcharts.com > Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance (song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. ^ a b Johnston, Maura (1 April 2018). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  9. ^ Heim, Chris (22 June 1989). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi (Virgin)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  10. ^ Willman, Chris (11 June 1989). "Cherry Debuts in Sassy Style". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  11. ^ Wood, Anna (March 2020). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Mojo. No. 316. London. p. 102.
  12. ^ a b Quantick, David (10 June 1989). "Cherry-Oh Baby". NME. London. p. 36.
  13. ^ Howe, Rupert (April 2020). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Q. No. 409. London. p. 118.
  14. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (10 August 1989). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  15. ^ Aaron, Charles (1995). "Neneh Cherry". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  16. ^ Christgau, Robert (27 June 1989). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  17. ^ Webb, Selina (10 June 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). Music Week. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 20. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022 – via World Radio History.
  18. ^ Clark, Pete (August 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry — Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review (magazine). Vol. 34, no. 8. Croydon: Link House Magazines Ltd. p. 107—108. ISSN 0142-6230. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  19. ^ Murray, Chris (24 June 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 50, no. 8. Toronto: RPM Music Publications Ltd. p. 8. ISSN 0315-5994. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022 – via World Radio History.
  20. ^ Heller-Nicholas, Alexandra (2006). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Universe Publishing. p. 617. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3.
  21. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6428". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  25. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 26. 1 July 1989. p. VIII. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  26. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  28. ^ "Charts.nz – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  31. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  32. ^ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  37. ^ "European Top 100 Albums 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  38. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Year End Albums" (PDF). Record Mirror. 20 January 1990. p. 42. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  42. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Music Canada.
  43. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Raw Like Sushi in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1990 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  44. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  45. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Raw Like Sushi')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Neneh Cherry Homebrew (Virgin) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2..." Chicago Tribune. 29 October 1992. Retrieved 8 April 2018.

Further reading edit

  • Harris, Neil (17 June 1989). "Cherry on Top" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 52, no. 49. New York: The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc. p. 8. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022 – via World Radio History.

External links edit

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