Ignored Obscured Restored
Back in 1987, Terence Trent D’Arby released an album of organic, neo-soul tracks that stood out from the other R&B of the day due to its lack of artificial sounding instruments and his warm vocal style that reminded listeners of classic soul voices like Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.
The album – Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby – was a huge commercial success internationally and in the US. It was an exceptional album that touched on soul, funk and even a little rock, but it was also hampered by D’Arby’s hubris and conceit. In interviews he called himself a genius (though not a stable genius) and claimed his album was the most important record since The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The album contained “Wishing Well” that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as their Soul Singles chart, and is today’s SotW.
When I was a club DJ in Boston in the mid/late ‘80s, I always enjoyed spinning this number. It was a sure fire crowd pleaser, guaranteed to fill the dance floor… and something the DJ could also appreciate.
Enjoy… until next week.
I’ve been playing this album recently, wondering whatever happened to him. Good pick.