Raw Like Sushi

Template:For {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Short description|noreplace}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other Template:Category handler Template:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Homebrew1992studioRaw Like SushiNeneh Cherry Raw Like Sushi cover.jpgyesNeneh Cherry5 June 1989September 1988–January 1989* Abbey Road, Battery, Blackwing, Cherry Bear, Eastcote, Hot Nights, Matrix, Power Plant, Sam Therapy (London)

Slam City (New York City)* Hip hop
new jack swing
R&B<ref name="Kellman"/>46:11 (vinyl)
67:22 (CD)Virgin* Jonny Dollar
Cameron McVey
Mark Saunders
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Raw Like Sushi is the debut studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released 5 June 1989 by Virgin Records.<ref name="bpi"/> The album includes the commercially successful single "Buffalo Stance".

BackgroundEdit

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". 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 No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart,<ref name=uk>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100<ref name=hot100>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and No. 1 in the Netherlands<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Sweden.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album also contains the No. 8 US<ref name=hot100 /> (and No. 20 UK<ref name=uk />) hit "Kisses on the Wind", and the No. 5 UK hit "Manchild".<ref name=uk />

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.

MusicEdit

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.<ref name="Johnston"/>

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

ReceptionEdit

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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."<ref name="Quantick"/> 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."<ref name="MWreview">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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".<ref name="HiFiReview">Template:Cite news</ref> As per Chris Murray of RPM "this package contains something for any contemporary dance music fan."<ref name="PRMreview">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Raw Like Sushi is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Track listingEdit

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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.

PersonnelEdit

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

Jean-Baptiste Mondino – photography

ChartsEdit

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Weekly chartsEdit

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1989 weekly chart performance for *Raw Like Sushi*
Chart (1989)	Peak position
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	7
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	14

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2020 weekly chart performance for *Raw Like Sushi*
Chart (2020)	Peak position

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Year-end chartsEdit

Year-end chart performance for *Raw Like Sushi*
Chart (1989)	Position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	56
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	41
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	42
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	41
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	19
UK Albums (Gallup)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	28