The Raw & the Cooked

by Fine Young Cannibals

Overview

One of the most exciting albums released during a decade of artifice and extravagance, in a mere ten songs and 35 minutes the Fine Young Cannibals created a masterpiece. Admittedly the trio had some help -- backing singers, guest musicians (including former Squeeze piano man Jools Holland and Talking Head's Jerry Harrison) -- but that doesn't take away the band's own accomplishment. Remaining true to the FYC's vision of tying past and present musical styles together into artful new pop packages, The Raw & the Cooked features a shopping list of genres. Mod, funk, Motown, British beat, R&B, punk, rock, and even disco are embedded within the songs, while the rhythms, many synthetically created, are equally diverse. In less delicate hands this would be nothing more than an everything including the kitchen sink motley mess, but FYC manage this mix with subtly and elan. Two-thirds of the record were released as U.K. singles, all were hits, and each one proudly boasted a distinctly different blend of styles. "Good Thing," for example, was the trio's tribute to the legendary all-night Northern soul parties of the '60s, but is much more than a mere meld of mod and Motown. It's actually built round a slinky R&B riff, fueled by a boogie-woogie piano, and slammed home with a cracking beat. "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be" is a torrid torch song, but fired by a futuristic jungle beat and an almost housey production. Then, of course, there's "She Drives Me Crazy," which features the most unique, and instantly identifiable, beat/riff combination of the decade. Even the four tracks that didn't make the singles cut could have, if MCA had the audacity to keep releasing them. "Tell Me What" perfectly re-creates the Tamla sound, with only the synth giving it a modern touch, but on the rest, FYC delve deeper into funk, disco, soul, and lovingly coax them into the modern era. Every one of Raw's tracks simmers with creativity, as the hooks, sharp melodies, and irrepressible beats are caressed by nuanced arrangements and sparkling production. Never has music's past, present, and future been more exceptionally combined. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Product Details

Release Date:	06/28/2024
Label:	London Import
UPC:	5061017251569

Tracks

1. She Drives Me Crazy
2. Good Thing
3. I'm Not the Man I Used to Be
4. I'm Not Satisfied
5. Tell Me What
6. Don't Look Back
7. It's Ok (It's Alright)
8. Don't Let It Get You Down
9. As Hard As It Is
10. Ever Fallen in Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Fine Young Cannibals   Primary Artist
Jerry Harrison   Guest Artist
Jools Holland   Guest Artist,Piano,Soloist
Jenny Jones   Drums,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Gavin Wright   Strings
Bridgette Enever   Saxophone
David Steele   Bass,Keyboards
Jimmy Helms   Vocals (Background)
Roland Gift   Vocals
Jimmy Chambers   Vocals (Background)
Monie Love   Featured Artist
Gavyn Wright   Strings
George Chandler   Vocals (Background)
Graeme Hamilton   Trumpet
Martin Parry   Drums
Andy Cox   Guitar
Simon Fowler   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

John Potoker   Mixing,Engineer,Remixing,Additional Production
Peter Shelley   Composer
Louil Silas Jr.   Remixing
Luke Mornay   Mix Down
Jazzie B   Mixing,Remixing,Remix Engineer
Gary Rossington   Composer
David Steele   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing
David Z.   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Remixing,Remix Engineer
Mark "Spike" Stent   Mixing
Johnny Van Zant   Composer
Dimitri from Paris   Remixing,Remix Engineer
Pete Shelley   Composer
Rollo   Remixing,Additional Production
Richard Manwaring   Engineer
Prince Paul   Remixing
Roland Gift   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing
Julian Mendelsohn   Engineer,Remixing
Matt Dike   Remixing
Jerry Harrison   Producer
Norman Cook   Remixing
Mike Pela   Engineer,Producer
Michael Barbiero   Remixing
Seth Troxler   Remixing,Remix Engineer
Arthur Baker   Remixing
Dave Anderson   Engineer,Remixing
Youth   Remixing
Steve Thompson   Remixing
Nellee Hooper   Mixing,Remixing,Remix Engineer
Bruce Lampcov   Remixing
Donnie Van Zant   Composer
Robin Goodfellow   Engineer,Remixing
Andrew Cox   Composer
Sister Bliss   Remixing,Additional Production
Traditional   Composer
Andy Cox   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing
The Beatmasters   Remixing
Lamont Dozier   Composer,Producer
Fine Young Cannibals   Composer,Producer