•
Rating:
If you're at least forty and don't remember Lipps Inc. (pronounced "lip synch"), it means that you were either in a coma, on Pluto, or dozing off for two/three years. There are no other excuses, since we're talking about creators of musical H-bombs. And I'm not so much talking about the artistic quality of their compositions, but their almost excessive grip on clubgoers. I know, I know, maybe the name doesn't ring a bell, but if I mentioned songs like "Funkytown" or "How long" or if I played them for you? Then, my peers, you would indeed find your youth again. To do justice to the review, let me describe their history a bit.
Lipps Inc. was an American band, specifically from Minneapolis, affiliated with Casablanca Records, a giant label that greatly contributed to their success. The members were six: Steven Greenberg, Cynthia Johnson, Terry Grant, David Rivkin, Tom Riopelle, and Ivan Rafowitz. This band, dating back to the 1979-1981 period, had a very recognizable musical style: catchy melody, drumming marked by the early digital sampling drum machines, very tight, almost gospel-like female choir, solo singers with a really wide vocal range, funky supporting guitars, synthesizer bass line, keyboard soundscapes, and? the secret ingredient of every serious band and singer. The style is unmistakably Disco music, but characterized by more European, artificial sounds, already projected towards the iconic '80s.
Funkytown (1979) is their gem. The brass intro of the 12" version is quite curious and was appreciated by DJs because it provided them the necessary intro for mixing, as well as at the end. Then, the central body drags the listener (who in the meantime has become a dancer) into the groove marked by the upbeat drum and offbeat bass line. The lyrics are very sparse, but it doesn't matter at all: those dancing don’t care. The only flaw of Funkytown: excessive simplicity and somewhat crude arrangements. However, the simplicity is quickly resolved with the new single (their last successful one) the following year: "How long." Here the band tries to redeem itself (while maintaining the musical genre) from the "party musicians" dimension they had assigned themselves with Funkytown. The style is more serious, harmonious, rhythmic but slow, melancholic, sophisticated. Even the lyrics are more sophisticated and serious. Yet, the arrangements still remain a bit crude. Nevertheless, in clubs, Lipps Inc. entered again as winners. "How long" is ideal to listen to while watching a sunset over the sea.
Fun fact: the type and rhythm of the drum machine used in this track are the same ones used for the rhythmic background of Aneka's "Japanese boy" (1981). Lipps Inc. has become rare material and can now be found on compilations like the one I'm reviewing or on "One shot". It may not be your genre, but if you love the rarities that once went wild or "shooting star" artists, then you absolutely must not miss any song regarding Lipps Incorporated!
Loading comments slowly
