Rocktrospectiva: The Irresistible And Smooth "Matt Bianco" Turns 40

Released in March 1986 "Matt Bianco" was the 2nd., self-titled salbum by the British band Matt Bianco. For this album, the band's line-up comprised vocalist Mark Reilly and musician Mark Fisher. Jenni Evans sings backing vocals on nearly every track (and lead vocal on two cuts), but was not listed as an official band member.The album spawned the singles "Yeh Yeh", "Just Can't Stand It", "Dancing In The Street", & "Undercover." The album was a critical and commercial success, and spawned one of the band's biggest hits, "Yeh Yeh".

For the recordings, Jenni Evans and Mark Fisher were brought in after the departure of Polish singer Basia Trzetrzelewska and keyboard player Danny White, who left the original trio to establish the singer's solo career under the name of Basia.

Evans would leave Matt Bianco shortly after this album, but Fisher would become a long-term member of the group. Fisher, a keyboardist, composer, and studio wizard, contributed a more contemporary sound compared to the band's earlier work. The use of synthesizers increased notably: Yamaha's DX-7 can be heard providing the slap bass in most songs, but the choice of noted studio musicians remained consistent for this album, with Ronnie Ross being the most prominent example.

In terms of its chart position in the United Kingdom, this album was more successful than the group's debut release, reaching number 26. It also provided three chart singles, although the only one to make the top 50 was the lead "Yeh Yeh". This was issued as a single in September 1985, about six months prior to the album. 

The album reviews were good and several critics stating that the songs were totally frivolous and throwaway but at the same time indeniably catchy and irresistible cause its queaky clean Euro-Latin pop and stylish bossa nova tunes perfect for radio.  

 

Matt Bianco Track List:  

 

1. Yeh Yeh (Single Version)

    Yeh Yeh (12" Dance Mix)

2. Dancing In The Street

3. Undercover

4. Fly By Night

5. Smooth

6. I Wonder

7. Just Can't Stand It

8. Summer Song

9. Sweetest Love Affair

10. Up Front