Saturday, May 30, 2015

Cameo - Single Life

Today (May 30th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Single Life, the eleventh studio album from Cameo. This 1985 release hit number 66 in the UK, number 58 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a twenty-seven week total run) and number 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart.


Side one opens with “Attack Me with Your Love”. As the first single, it went to number 65 in the UK, number 39 on the US Billboard Dance chart and number 3 on the US Billboard R&B chart. This mid-tempo tune incites the lady to take charge in the relationship and go for what she wants.

“Single Life”, the second single, hit number 28 in Ireland, number 26 on the US Billboard Dance chart, number 15 in the UK and number 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart. The album version runs over six and a half minutes, leaving plenty of room to work out the grinding groove. I have fond memories of dancing to this one from my club days in the mid-80’s.

The B-side to the second single was “I’ve Got Your Image”. It has a bluesy, jazz vibe to it that is fresh and light

Side two begins with “A Good-Bye”, a mid-tempo revelation of how much a woman means to him and how he hopes she’ll return someday. As the third single, it stalled at number 76 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 65 in the UK.

Things slow down with the sweet love ballad “I’ll Never Look for Love”, a duet with Barbara Mitchell. It also features a smooth saxophone solo by Melvin Wells.

The mid-tempo “Urban Warrior” opens with some tribal chants and features rapping verses. The lyrics celebrate the super-star deejay who becomes famous around the world. It features a very familiar 80’s backing beat and more of Wells’ saxophone.

The album closes with “Little Boys – Dangerous Toys” and features a reggae rhythm.

Single Life is another strong record from the Cameo catalog. This is another one of those records I would have played the heck out of had I owned a copy of it back in 1985.

For more from Cameo, click here.

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