In 1987, my familiarity with house music was minimal. However, this all changed when Steve "Silk" Hurley topped the charts with "Jack Your Body." I suddenly became aware that music was changing and that artists like Coldcut, Inner City, and MARRS were transforming the musical landscape. One of most significant impacts on me at this time came from S'Express and their hit, "Theme from S'Express."
S'Express was created by DJ and producer Mark Moore, with their first album, "Original Soundtrack," launching in 1989. At that time, my passion for music was growing, but my budget was limited. Consequently, I only acquired this LP a few years back when it took the place of several cassettes and recordable CDs that had been my means of enjoying the album for more than three decades.
Although I couldn't purchase the album, I did manage to buy the 7" single of "Hey Music Lover" when it was first released, and it has remained a part of my collection ever since. I was not only drawn to the music on this record, but the cover also featured intriguing mentions of "orgasmatron vox" and an "electronic doormat," credited to individuals with remarkable names like Chilo and Linda Love. I can confidently say I had never encountered anything quite like that on the back of my Jean Michel Jarre LPs.
In addition to the previously mentioned hit single "Theme from S'Express," the first side of this record features "Superfly Guy," demonstrating that the group was more than just a one-hit wonder. Other tracks such as "Special and Golden" and "Blow Me Another Lollypop" may seem somewhat outdated now, but they felt quite modern when I first listened to them. The ambient house track "Coma II" includes enough acid bleeps and rhythmic arpeggios to keep listeners engaged, avoiding any meandering or dull moments.
On the downside there's not much to recommend "Pimps, Pushers and Prostitutes" which feels like an overly long jam and "Can You Feel Me" tries too hard. Whilst there is a lot to like here, it is inevitable that the hit singles shine brightest. 3/5