One of my favorite albums
Andrew Olivo | Oregon, United States | 06/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"RAW LIKE SUSHI is the early 1990's debut album of English singer/rapper Neneh Cherry (incidentally, Neneh is the step-daughter of Jazz artist Don Cherry, and the sister of Eagle-Eye Cherry who found success recently with the hit single "Save Tonight"). She was a mix between Queen Latifah and Madonna, and her hit single "Buffalo Stance" (a song about hussling) had become a major international radio hit. It was certainly ahead of its time because it incorporated what today is almost formula: a rap verse with a singing chorus. What is remarkable is that Neneh Cherry performed both functions. Most songs that follow this formula are collaborations, assigning one talent to each genre. Buffalo Stance is without a doubt the best song on RAW LIKE SUSHI, but there are many other gems as well. Kisses on the Wind is a fun song about the girl in the neighborhood who matured faster than everyone else, "the first girl to turn the boys on." Inner City Momma, Love Ghetto, and Phoney Ladies, are also great songs. This was an incredibly promising debut that seemed to hint at a future superstar. I'm not sure what went wrong. What has happened to Neneh Cherry? Why isn't she still on the radio? I don't know. But I *do* know that RAW LIKE SUSHI is a great CD that anyone who likes strong women will enjoy."
The original "spice girl".
H3@+h | VT | 04/28/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This debut of hers may not be as impressive now, but in 1988 it was ahead of its time, and great on many levels. "Raw Like Sushi" also covers as many genres as it does topics. I still have the cassingle of "Buffalo Stance", and that song remains the best thing on here. However "Manchild" and "Kisses On The Wind" are catchy too. In fact, the album starts out very strong, then becomes too similar in the second half. But overall it's a good listen from this "Inna City Momma"."
Setting the template for female Urban Rap-Commentary....
fetish_2000 | U.K. | 11/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Considered one of the finest female talents to emerge from the U.K (with as much social awareness as today's Ms Dynamite),Neneh was a urban role model of sorts, during the late 80's and her rhetoric was one of social Urban issues, which confronted both men & women by imploring, men to respect women & take responsibility for their sexual actions (and any offspring as a result of their sexual encounters), and for women, to recognise their importance within their community & not remain gullible personalities for men to take advantage of. A suitably tough stance of all issues granted a generation of disaffected listeners, (although the music was so dance orientated, that It was easy to forget the underlining message), and so having influenced many with her commendable insight, it fall's to Ms Dynamite to continue what Neneh first started."