Raw Like Sushi
Studio album by
Neneh Cherry
Released5 June 1989
Recorded1988–1989
Studio
Genre
Length46:11 (vinyl)
67:22 (CD)
LabelVirgin
Producer
Neneh Cherry chronology
Raw Like Sushi
(1989)		 Homebrew
(1992)
Singles from Raw Like Sushi
  1. "Buffalo Stance"
    Released: 28 November 1988[2]
  2. "Manchild"
    Released: 8 May 1989
  3. "Kisses on the Wind"
    Released: 31 July 1989 (UK)
  4. "Heart"
    Released: November 1989 (US)
  5. "Inna City Mama"
    Released: 11 December 1989

Raw Like Sushi is the debut studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released 5 June 1989 by Virgin Records.[2] The album includes the commercially successful single "Buffalo Stance".

Background

An early version of "Buffalo Stance" appeared on the B-side of the 1986 Stock Aitken Waterman-produced Morgan-McVey single, "Looking Good Diving", titled "Looking Good Diving with the Wild Bunch".[3] The single was not successful; however, the B-side was re-recorded with Tim Simenon of Bomb the Bass, and became the version of "Buffalo Stance" that was a worldwide hit, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] #3 on the Billboard Hot 100[5] and #1 in the Netherlands[6] and Sweden.[7] The album also contains the #8 US[5] (and #20 UK[4]) hit "Kisses on the Wind", and the #5 UK hit "Manchild".[4]

All musicians and programmers are credited in the album sleeve, however Cameron McVey, Cherry's husband, is credited 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 fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Music

Raw Like Sushi is distinctive for its eclectic mix of genres, incorporating influences from across the trends of 1980s pop music. Cherry sings and raps accompanied by a diverse set of sounds, including pianos, synthesizers, brass instruments, guitars, and go-go percussion. The album's lyrical themes are influenced by Cherry's experiences of motherhood, and her education and upbringing.[8]

When it was released, the album was favorably compared to Madonna and Prince, though it did not reach similar popularity.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Chicago Tribune[9]
Los Angeles Times[10]
Mojo[11]
NME9/10[12]
Pitchfork8.0/10[8]
Q[13]
Rolling Stone[14]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[15]
The Village VoiceA−[16]

NME critic David Quantick praised Raw Like Sushi as "the sort of record you can rarely buy – immediate, commercial pop that only someone with a rather individual worldview could have made", highlighting its unconventional song structures and Cherry's "wit, intelligence and even maturity."[12] Selina Webb of British music newspaper Music Week called it "eclectic, wholesome, a subtly teasing collection of provoking yet pouting songs", "a confident manifesto from refreshing new pop diva."[17] Pete Clark of Hi-Fi News & Record Review said that Cherry's music "is illuminated by a jazzy delight in non-conformity" and singled out "effortlessly memorable" "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild".[18] As per Chris Murray of RPM "this package contains something for any contemporary dance music fan."[19]

Raw Like Sushi was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[20]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Neneh Cherry and Cameron McVey (Booga Bear), except where indicated

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Buffalo Stance"
5:42
2."Manchild"
3:51
3."Kisses on the Wind" 3:57
4."Inna City Mamma"
  • McVey
  • 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"
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Will Malone
5:04
10."So Here I Come"
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • 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)
  • Morgan
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Ramacon
5:20
14."Manchild (The Old School Mix)" (bonus track)
  • McVey
  • Cherry
  • Del Naja
5:30

Note

  • Tracks 1–10 were on the original LP. In the United Kingdom, tracks 11–14 were on the CD release while tracks 13 and 14 were on the tape cassette album.

Personnel

  • Neneh Cherry – lead vocals, programming
  • Sandy McLelland – backing vocals on "Inna City Mamma", "Love Ghetto" and "Phoney Ladies"
  • Chandra Armstead – backing vocals on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Eagle-Eye Cherry – toasting on "Heart"
  • Sarah Erde – Hispanic vocals on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • Cameron "Booga Bear" McVey – backing vocals, executive producer, mixing, beats on "Manchild"
  • Phil Chill – programming, beats, backing vocals on "The Next Generation"
  • Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • Nellee Hooper – vibraphone
  • Jerod Minnies – guitar on "Love Ghetto"
  • Alvin Moody – beats and programming on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Nick Plytas – programming
  • Jeff Scantlebury – congas on "Kisses on the Wind"
  • John Sharp – programming on "Manchild"
  • Tim Simenon – beats and turntables on "Buffalo Stance" and "Heart"
  • Dynamik Duo – beats
  • Mark Saunders – multi-instruments, beats on "Buffalo Stance"
  • Wil Malone – conductor, programming, string arrangements on "Manchild", backing vocals
  • Gordon Dukes – backing vocals on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"
  • Mushroom – programming, turntables on "Kisses on the Wind", "The Next Generation" and "So Here I Come"
Technical

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Raw Like Sushi
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[42] Gold 50,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[43] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[44] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[45] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[2] Platinum 300,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 2,000,000[46]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Raw Like Sushi – Neneh Cherry". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "British album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". British Phonographic Industry. 6 October 1989. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Morgan* / McVey* – Looking Good Diving". discogs.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Neneh Cherry | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Billboard > Artists / Neneh Cherry > Chart History > The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "dutchcharts.nl > Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "swedishcharts.com > Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance (song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. 1 2 Johnston, Maura (1 April 2018). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  9. ↑ Heim, Chris (22 June 1989). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi (Virgin)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  10. ↑ Willman, Chris (11 June 1989). "Cherry Debuts in Sassy Style". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  11. ↑ Wood, Anna (March 2020). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Mojo. No. 316. London. p. 102.
  12. 1 2 Quantick, David (10 June 1989). "Cherry-Oh Baby". NME. London. p. 36.
  13. ↑ Howe, Rupert (April 2020). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Q. No. 409. London. p. 118.
  14. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rob (10 August 1989). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Aaron, Charles (1995). "Neneh Cherry". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  16. ↑ Christgau, Robert (27 June 1989). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  17. ↑ Webb, Selina (10 June 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). Music Week. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 20. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022 – via World Radio History.
  18. ↑ Clark, Pete (August 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry — Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review (magazine). Vol. 34, no. 8. Croydon: Link House Magazines Ltd. p. 107—108. ISSN 0142-6230. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  19. ↑ Murray, Chris (24 June 1989). "Review: Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 50, no. 8. Toronto: RPM Music Publications Ltd. p. 8. ISSN 0315-5994. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022 – via World Radio History.
  20. ↑ Heller-Nicholas, Alexandra (2006). "Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Universe Publishing. p. 617. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3.
  21. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6428". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  24. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 26. 1 July 1989. p. VIII. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  26. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  27. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Charts.nz – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  29. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  32. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  33. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  34. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  37. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  38. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  41. ↑ "Year End Albums" (PDF). Record Mirror. 20 January 1990. p. 42. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  42. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi". Music Canada.
  43. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Raw Like Sushi in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1990 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  44. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  45. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Raw Like Sushi')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  46. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Homebrew (Virgin) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2..." Chicago Tribune. 29 October 1992. Retrieved 8 April 2018.

Further reading

  • Harris, Neil (17 June 1989). "Cherry on Top" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 52, no. 49. New York: The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc. p. 8. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022 – via World Radio History.
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