The album was a departure in musical styles from Martika's debut album, cause incorporated elements of gospel, jazz, funk, R&B and traditional Cuban music. The album featured four songs written and produced by Prince. The four Prince songs (tracks 1–3 and 10) on the album were recorded by him and then sent to Martika to overdub. Three of those songs were based on a lyrics notebook she had given him for inspiration. Although Martika's Kitchen, bought the listener into a world where the diversity and eclectic nature of the songs were just as varied as any inventive recipe.
The album had the touch of Prince on it, apparently she approached him, and this ended up with her having the title track Martika’s Kitchen written solely by him and three co-writer credits, unfortunately this album didn't replicate the success of her debut eponymous 1988 album, Martika, although it fared better outside the US.
The big hit was the Prince co-written track Love… Thy Will Be Done, definitely Martika's breathy vocals and the soft backing track really worked out. The lead single for the album bought worldwide success that was more than justified. It remains an all-time favourite Martika tune, it was like nothing Martika had sung before and a risky, one of four Prince contributions to the album, this slow burn, shimmering piece of pop has more than stood the test of time and is just as elegantly exquisite today as it was back then, the drum and bass are consistent throughout the song, with the melody following a similar pattern. Martika's Kitchen" the album's title track was, of course, a single only Martika could release. It was an equally enticing but entirely different Prince contribution than the single that preceded it, this vibrant, up-tempo nugget was polar opposite to the stately love, the sassy lyrics were a thinly disguised metaphor for all sorts of naughty shenanigans, emboldening the listener to be as confident as Martika's sultry, confident vocal. Coloured Kisses, was produced by Clivilles and Cole, better known as the awful act (at least for me) C+C Music Factory. Safe In The Arms of Love was like a narrative sequel to Coloured Kisses, this sweet musical tune was allowed to flow at its own pace, as if replicating those moments when you are entwined with your lover and time doesn't seem to matter, and finally Spirit, whic was co-written by Prince with Martika and his bassist, Levi Seacer Jr, this was a pulsing dance-pop vibe with the same liberating message that had, it's a layered, textured score that is further appreciated with subsequent listens - but stand outs are those drum loops, the repetitive and satisfying backing vocals and that free-flowing deep Chicago house piano that acts as the anchor to the music.
The rest of the album was was an eclectic, powerful mixture of musical sounds and styles, all cohesively held together by Martika's rich, resonant voice - it was ripe for other potential singles had the record label wanted some alternatives for different markets, Temptation. was the most Cuban music influenced song on the album, was a hard hitting song about addiction that felt like the lyrical prequel to Toy Soldiers. Brazen horns, more quasi-rap and a shuddering beat made this an electrifying four minutes of organised, marvellous mayhem. The fourth Prince collaboration, Don't Say U Love Me had a Paisley Park production is exquisite; tasty Hammond organ chords give the song a frisson of excitement, whilst the frenetic percussion adds to the kiss-off Martika delivers so emphatically. The hip-hop Eastern influences salutes with A Magical Place were somewhat mystical and fairy story, essentially a duet with the song's composer, Christopher Max, it was a beguiling four minutes of music designed to take you away from the every day. Pride and Prejudice was a dreamy, ethereal quality to it - perhaps the most theatrical moment on an album full of them, and finally Take Me To Forever was the type of soaring ballad perfect for a Disney movie score.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario