Belouis Some (album)

Belouis Some is the second studio album from British new wave musician Belouis Some. It was released in 1987.[1]

Belouis Some
Studio album by
Belouis Some
Released1987
GenrePop, new wave
Length40:15
LabelParlophone Records, Capitol Records, EMI Records
ProducerGary Langan
Guy Fletcher (associate producer)
Belouis Some chronology
Some People
(1985)		 Belouis Some
(1987)		 Living Your Life
(1993)

Background

The release of Some's debut solo album Some People in 1985 spawned two hits the following year; "Imagination" and "Some People", both of which were Top 40 UK hits and Top 10 American Hot Dance Club Play hits.[2][3] After his initial chart success and extensive touring, he appeared at Knebworth on a bill supporting Queen, with Big Country and Status Quo in August 1986. The late 1986 single "Jerusalem" had also peaked at #98 in the UK. Soon after, Some recorded his second album, Belouis Some in New York, which was produced by Gary Langan and Guy Fletcher. Pete Townshend and Julian Lennon made guest appearances on the record, while Phil Harding mixed "Let It Be with You".[4] Of the nine tracks, Some solely wrote five of the songs and co-wrote the rest, three of which were co-written with producer Guy Fletcher. "Some Girls" was co-written by Carlos Alomar.[5]

The album was recorded at Right Track in New York City, and mixed at both the Eel Pie in Twickenham and Maison Rouge in London. Additional recording was at Counterpoint, Hit Factory, Roundhouse & Beat Factory.[6]

However, like his debut album, Belouis Some did not make a chart appearance in the UK or the United States. "Let It Be with You" was the lead single from the album,[7] and managed to reach #53 in the UK chart.[8] It fared better in the United States on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reached #13.[9] The second single "Animal Magic" failed to make an appearance on the UK chart, but a remix version reached #6 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[10][11] The third and final single "Some Girls" was exclusively released in the UK during early 1988,[12] and peaked at #76. This was the last charting Belouis Some made in the UK.[13]

Some wouldn't release his next and final studio album Living Your Life until 1993, although in 1989 he formed the band The Big Broadcast, and the band toured the UK playing small venues and clubs.

Release

Capitol Records in the US and Canada, and by Parlophone/EMI Records in the UK, Europe, Australia and South Africa. It was released on vinyl LP, cassette and CD. Today the album remains out-of-print.[14] The CD version of the album featured one bonus track; the 12" extended remix of "Let It Be with You".[15]

Promotion

A music video was created to promote "Let It Be with You", which largely featured footage of Some recording the song in the studio.[16] In similar length to the video for "Imagination", the music video for "Animal Magic" featured a full seven-minute version. Again like "Imagination", it featured various actresses, but without any nudity.[17]

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard felt several songs on the album had "pop potential", including "My Body".[18] Cash Box stated: "Passionate, assured work from the blond soulster, who steps out smartly on his second LP. Full of fat brass, moody keys, Carlos Alomar's razor-thin guitar and the pouty vocals of Belouis Some, this wax packs some punch. Smooth with fangs, circa Simply Red or the Blow Monkeys."[19] Scott Benarde of The Palm Beach Post commented: "It took Some doing but Belouis has improved his songwriting and followed up his debut with an album of polished, hook-filled romantic pop songs that commercial radio should find tempting. Y-NOT will add the breezy, hopping "Stranger than Fiction", the somber ballad "Some Girls" and the dreamy "Animal Magic"."[20]

Tim Blangger of The Morning Call said: "This LP is considerably toned down from his debut, which was filled with muscular rock and brassy funk. "Let It Be with You" and "Stranger than Fiction" are sensuous R&B cuts which retain a funky, jazzy feel while "Dream Girl" and the remainder of Side 2 are "dreamy" slower songs. This is a decent effort and worth a listen."[21] Jeff Bunch of the Spokane Chronicle commented: "This effort is more consistent than his 1985 debut effort. But the limited range of his Billy Idol-like voice and overall weakness of his material makes one wonder whether he'll ever make it big."[22]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let It Be with You"Belouis Some3:30
2."Stranger than Fiction"Belouis Some3:34
3."Some Girls"Belouis Some, Carlos Alomar4:41
4."Passion Play"Belouis Some, Guy Fletcher4:13
5."Animal Magic"Belouis Some, Fletcher4:33
6."Dream Girl"Belouis Some, Fletcher5:03
7."My Body"Belouis Some4:09
8."Wind of Change"Belouis Some4:48
9."What I See"Belouis Some5:44
CD version bonus track
No.TitleLength
10."Let It Be With You 12""6:55

Chart performance

Singles

Let It Be with You
Chart (1987) Peak
position
Italian Singles Chart[23] 69
UK Singles Chart[24] 53
U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart[25] 13

Animal Magic
Chart (1987) Peak
position
Italian Singles Chart[26] 42
U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart[27] 6

Some Girls
Chart (1988) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[28] 76

Personnel
  • Vocals, songwriter – Belouis Some
  • Producer, recording, mixing – Gary Langan
  • Associate producer – Guy Fletcher
  • Assistant engineer – Chris Ludwinski, Craig Vogel, Graeme Holdaway, John Palmer, Paul Borg, Rick Slater, Scott Mabuchi
  • Arrangement – Gary Langan (tracks 1, 3, 9), Guy Fletcher (tracks 2, 4–8)
  • Mixing – Phil Harding (track 1)
  • Backing vocals – Carlos Alomar, Gary Langan (tracks 4, 8), Geoff Dugmore (track 5), Gordon Grodie, Guy Fletcher (tracks 4, 8), Morris Michael (track 5), Robin Clark
  • Brass – The Borneo Horns (tracks 1–2)
  • Saxophone – Lenny Pickett (track 3)
  • Trumpet – Earl Garder (tracks 1–2)
  • Guitar – Carlos Alomar, Chester Kamen (tracks 4, 6–7), Neal X (track 4), Pete Townshend (track 9)
  • Bass – Carmine Rojas (tracks 1–2, 4, 6, 8–9), Gary Twigg (track 7)
  • Keyboards – Guy Fletcher
  • Drums – Geoff Dugmore (tracks 1–2, 4–9)
  • Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
  • Photography – Eric Watson
  • Artwork design – Accident
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References
  1. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Belouis-Some/master/158024
  2. "The Official Charts Company – Belouis Some (album)". The Official Charts Company. 21 November 2014.
  3. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  4. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Biography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  5. http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=5507784
  6. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Belouis-Some/release/5507784
  7. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Let-It-Be-With-You/master/158106
  8. "The Official Charts Company – Belouis Some (album)". The Official Charts Company. 21 November 2014.
  9. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  10. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Animal-Magic/master/158102
  11. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  12. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Some-Girls-Imagination/master/158111
  13. "The Official Charts Company – Belouis Some (album)". The Official Charts Company. 21 November 2014.
  14. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Belouis-Some/master/158024
  15. http://www.discogs.com/Belouis-Some-Belouis-Some/release/801380
  16. "Belouis Some..........Let It Be With You". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  17. "belouis some- animal magic". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  18. Billboard magazine – Album reviews – 29 August 1987 – page 80
  19. Cash Box newspaper – 29 August 1987 – Album Releases – page 9
  20. The Palm Beach Post – Enz of an era never too old to hit Y-NOT – 11 October 1987 – page 176
  21. The Morning Call – Records – Tim Blangger – 28 November 1987 – page A64
  22. Bunch, Jeff (20 November 1987). "Is there room for art rock in the '80s? Answer: Yes". Spokane Chronicle.
  23. "Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: S". Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  24. "The Official Charts Company – Let It Be With You by Belouis Some Search". The Official Charts Company. 21 November 2014.
  25. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  26. "Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: S". Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  27. Michael Sutton. "Belouis Some – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  28. "The Official Charts Company – Some Girls by Belouis Some Search". The Official Charts Company. 21 November 2014.
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