Raw Like Sushi

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Raw Like Sushi
Raw Like Sushi cover
Studio album by Neneh Cherry
Released May 2, 1989
Recorded 1988-1989; Hot Nights, Blackwing, Sam Therapy et al.
Genre Pop
Hip hop
Length 46:06
Label Virgin
Producer Tim Simenon, Mark Saunders, Cameron McVey, et al.
Professional reviews
Neneh Cherry chronology
Raw Like Sushi
(1989)		 Homebrew
(1992)

Raw Like Sushi is recording artist Neneh Cherry's debut album. She was one of the first female rappers to popularize the genre, earning her the nickname "Black Madonna" [1] in the United Kingdom.

An early version of "Buffalo Stance" appeared on the B-side of the Morgan McVey single "Looking Good Diving". The single was not successful; however the B-side was re-recorded with Tim Simenon of Bomb the Bass fame and "Buffalo Stance" was born, becoming a worldwide hit reaching #3 in the UK, #3 in the Billboard Hot 100 and even reached #1 for two weeks in the Netherlands. The album also contained the #10 US (and #20 UK) hit "Kisses on the Wind" and "Manchild", which reached #5 in the UK.

The lyrics on the album are sometimes autobiographical, talking about school years. They are also influenced by Neneh's motherhood. Others speak of women allegedly trying to steal a man from another woman. All players and programmers are credited in this album, however Cameron McVey, Cherry's husband, appears as Booga Bear. Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja co-wrote "Manchild", and fellow member Andrew Vowles aka DJ Mushroom performs on "Kisses on the Wind", "The Next Generation" and "So Here I Come". "My Bitch" is a vocal duet with Gilly G.

The cover and inner photos were shot by renowned fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Contents

[edit] Track listing

All tracks composed by Neneh Cherry & Booga Bear; except where indicated

# Title Length
1. "Buffalo Stance" (Jamie J. Morgan, Booga Bear, Neneh Cherry, Phillip Ramacon) 5:42
2. "Manchild" (Booga Bear, Neneh Cherry, Robert "3D" del Naja) 3:51
3. "Kisses on the Wind" 3:57
4. "Inna City Mama" (Booga Bear, Neneh Cherry, Phil Chill) 4:50
5. "The Next Generation" 5:04
6. "Love Ghetto" 4:27
7. "Heart" 5:08
8. "Phoney Ladies" 3:52
9. "Outré Risqué Locomotive" (Booga Bear, Neneh Cherry, Will Malone) 5:04
10. "So Here I Come" (Booga Bear, Neneh Cherry, Phil Chill) 4:02
11. "My Bitch" (Bonus track) 5:26
12. "Heart (It's a Demo)" (Bonus track) 4:52
13. "Buffalo Stance (Sukka mix)" (Bonus track) 5:20
14. "Manchild (The Old School mix)" (Bonus track) 5:30
Note: Tracks 1 through 10 were on the original LP. Tracks 11 through 14 were only on the CD release in the United Kingdom.

[edit] Credits

Neneh Cherry - vocals, programming

  • Sandy McLelland - background vocals
  • Chandra Armstead - background vocals
  • Booga Bear - background vocals, Executive Producer, mixing, beats
  • Phil Chill - programming, beats, background vocals
  • Claudia Fontaine - background vocals
  • Nellee Hooper - vibraphone
  • Jerod - guitar
  • Alvin Moody - beats
  • Nick Plytas - programming
  • Jeff Scantlebury - conga
  • John Sharpe - programming
  • Tim Simenon - beats
  • Dynamik Duo - beats
  • Mark Saunders - multi-instruments, beats
  • Will Malone - conductor, programming, string arrangements
  • Gordon Dukes - background vocals
  • Jean Baptiste Mondino - photography
  • Mushroom - programming

[edit] Chart performance

Chart Date Peak position Certification
United States September 16, 1989 40 [2]  
The Netherlands June 1989 4 Gold [3]
United Kingdom June 1989 2 [4]  
Germany June 1989 10 [5]
Austria September 15, 1989 7 [6]  
Switzerland September 9, 1989 6 [7] Gold [8]
Sweden June 1989 3 [9]  

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, 500 nr.1 hits uit de Top 40, page 259, 9023009444 (Book in Dutch)
  2. ^ [1] Neneh Cherry album chart Accessed: December 19, 2007
  3. ^ NVPI.nl Dutch certification database Accessed November 4, 2006
  4. ^ EveryHit.co.uk UK Top 40 database Accessed: October 28, 2006
  5. ^ NVPI.nl Dutch certification database Accessed November 4, 2006
  6. ^ AustrianCharts.at Raw Like Sushi page Accessed: October 28, 2006
  7. ^ SwissCharts.com Raw Like Sushi page Accessed: October 28, 2006
  8. ^ SwissCharts.com Certifications 1989 Accessed: October 29, 2006
  9. ^ SwedishCharts.com Raw Like Sushi page Accessed: August 12, 2007