Monday, April 15, 2013

jazz hands

Hands up! Who remembers Johnny Hates Jazz? Well, ver Jazz are back, Back, BACK! More than twenty five years after their debut album, Clark Datchler and co. have returned with a brand new single, "Magnetized", from the album of the same name.

It's a well produced, timeless sounding song which sounds as if it could've been plucked from "Turn Back The Clock", their first longplayer which was home to four smash singles in the UK - "Heart Of Gold", "I Don't Want To Be A Hero", the title track, and the ubiquitous "Shattered Dreams". Turn back the clock, indeed!

Some people may think this is a bad thing. However, I staunchly disagree. Not everything has to feature a rap breakdown or a dubstep break to be a great record these days. Gimme a great song and it will always deliver. And "Magnetized" is the top notch kind of pop that puts a smile on my face.



Trimmed down to a duo of Mike Nocito and Mr. Datchler, Johnny Hates Jazz have gone through three incarnations across three albums. First, they started out as the trio of Mike, Clark and Calvin Hayes, fresh from cutting their songwriting and production chops at the legendary RAK studios in London.

After the success of their 1987 debut, Clark left for a shot at a solo career while Mike and Calvin recruited legendary producer and songwriter, Phil Thornalley, to front the group. They issued one album called "Tall Stories" which didn't yield any significant hits. Fast forward to today and JHJ mark III feature the return of Clark alongside Mike without Calvin.

"Magnetized", the single, will be hit the "shops" on April 29 followed by the elpee a week later.

And maybe it's just me, but there's something about the new JHJ single that reminds me a bit of "This Is Not America", a hit for David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group in 1985. Take particular note of the second verse of "Magnetized". I'm not suggesting they sound the same. They simply evoke the same feelings for me, particularly in the chord structure in the verses of "Magnetized".

11 comments:

  1. This certainly is a timeless pop sound with equal parts sheen and yearning.
    I have to totally agree that today's charts are filled with middling pop efforts injected with rap breaks that many times have nothing to do with the song itself or some record company guys approximation of "dubstep" injected into the song as a jarring coda.
    I'll be happy to hear the results of this reformation. I liked the PThornalley led JHJ, but pop music was so in flux at the end of the 80's it was easy to lose track of JHJ from one release to the next.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Right there with you, Vinny—Turn Back the Clock is still one of my all-time favorites, which I don't get to say in public very often. This one isn't grabbing me as immediately as the stuff off that album, but I'm also glad they're sticking to what worked for them before since they didn't do all that much of it in the first place.

    Also: No posts about your work on the reissue of JHJ contemporaries Breathe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a case of backlog, Rob. I plan to do a Cherry Red round up, shortly.

      Delete
  3. I'm definitely raising my jazz handsin excitement to har about the return of JHJ. I'm a big fan of their music and I'm really happy to hear about their new material. The latest single and title track to their upcoming album sounds really, really good. I love it and I can't wait for its release late next month.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Everyone likes a bit of Johnny. I'm in! Cool blog btw.....♫

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Helena. The new JHJ album sounds promising. Glad you like the blog!

      Delete
  5. I've been reading your blog for over a year due to my main interest in 80s music. This is my first post here. Just want to say thanks.

    Clark Datchler released a good solo album in the 90s as well. 'Magnetized' definitely brings back the good old JHZ tunes which I love.

    Between their debut album & Magnetized, I evolve from a high schooler to a father of a 14 year old daughter. Gosh, I wish I can turn back the clock;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really nice review btw!
    It's so pleasing to hear there are still people out there who appreciate great music.
    JHJ have returned bang on form. Catchy toe tapping, properly produced tunes and addictive lyrics prove they haven't lost that magic touch.
    Magnetizing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for the feature and video of the new Johnny Hates Jazz single. Turn Back the Clock is one of my all-time favorite smooth pop albums and it seems that Clark & company have picked up right where they left off. I'm going to keep your blog on my radar from now on. I also see you're a fan of ABC. I actually drove Fry's PR on his American Regeneration Tours in 08 / 09. I'll see Mr Fry and the lovely Julie this weekend in fact. Alphabetically hip, Jeremy K. Atlanta, GA USA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words, Jeremy. There are quite a few things to post on the blog this week. I just need to find the time.

      Please send my best to Martin. Have met him several times. Even attempted to sign him to a major label back in the 90s!

      Stay in touch!

      Delete
  8. Very similar to Duran Duran's "Come Undone" in chord structure too. Like it a lot though!

    ReplyDelete