Paradise - One Mind Two Hearts/Back Together (Extended Version)
STYLE: R&B RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 50608-18482 LABEL: Avenue FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Single
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
In 1983 this bunch of London-based gospel funketeers very nearly hit paydirt with this excellent slice of contemporary catchy funk. Having played the gospel circuit for three years and undergone some line up changes, this is definitely Paradise's finest hour. The perfect crisp production is matched by tight musical performances and topped by a fabulous falsetto lead vocal from the admirable Paul Johnson. It's got a great groove and a very catchy chorus. On this 12 inch release, the song is extended in the habit of '80s 12 inch releases by adding a bit of a percussion break and bass solo in the middle which doesn't really add much and the straight forward album version is probably superior. It stalled chartwise just outside the top 40 which is a shame. The B side (remember them?) was another piece of Paradise funk and "Back Together Again" has original vocalist Doug Williams doing his thing. Paradise were a landmark band pioneering British gospel into the '80s and it took a while before anyone else came along to pick up the baton.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.