80s Soul Genius (part two)

More gems from the silage trough that was the years 1980-1989. I have doubtless left out a few stone-cold classics (off the top of my head, Chaka Khan and early Whitney Houston might have been worthy), and am stretching somewhat the definition of soul music. But I don't care, I love them all and it's my party.

The Pasadenas - Tribute (Right On) (1988; above)

A track that is prone to inducing involuntary grins, a treasured staple in my record collection that is frequently unleashed to kickstart house parties. The enthusiasm of these five be-leathered and be-quiffed Londoners is infectious. Not so much an 80s soul tune as a 60s soul tune two decades late, but it bears comparison with all the legendary names and tunes that it namechecks. Listen up, yo! This one's a Mama!

The SOS Band - Just Be Good To Me (1983)

This, on the other hand, is most definitely a 80s song. Dark, ominous synth-funk; if not an anti-love song, then a rather pragmatic one.

Inner City - What'cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'? (1989)

Sneaking in under the wire is this late 80s house ballad, one that got heavy rotation on my Walkman back in the day. I once bought a CD of someone I had never heard of that I heard playing in a Paris record store because it had a cover of this on it. (It was a decent CD, too...)

Terence Trent D'Arby - If You Let Me Stay (1987)

The track that broke TTD in the UK, and thence the world. Throat-shreddingly awesome. The clip is from 'The Tube', the endearingly shambolic live-to-air Channel 4 music show that I was a bit too young to watch at the time.

Janet Jackson - When I Think Of You (1986)

Back when Ms Jackson wasn't only known by her first name and kept her clothes firmly on, she released this pop classic. A paean to the innocent optimism of youth, this could be the closest thing to having bottled the feeling of being sixteen and so in love... The full-length pop video, with all of its one-take magnificence is tremendous, but I have a sneaking regard for this TV clip, featuring the most unabashedly cheerful drummer in the world.

Sade - Your Love Is King (1984)

A beautiful song by a beautiful woman. If anything, the 1993 live version is even better on both counts.