Saada Bonaire: Saada Bonaire (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP+7" Flexidisc

Unique concept band from Bremen, Germany that was never meant to be. Saada Bonaire was formed by Bremen DJ Ralf Behrendt in 1982 and took an idiosyncratic approach to the dance and pop music of the time. Fronted by Behrendt's fiancee, Stefanie Lange and her friend, Claudia Hossfeld, the music was produced by dubmaster Dennis Bovell at Kraftwerk's Cologne studios. Behrendt first enlisted a local German reggae band he managed to cover two tracks. He then overdubbed some Kurdish folk musicians he met at local immigration center, and finally added the icy female vocals. On paper it sounds like a mess and EMI, the label fronting the money for all this, may have felt the same. However, Bovell's deft hand at the controls delivered gripping enough results that the label put up for more studio time. What they ended up with was a unique fusion of husky female vocals, Eastern instruments, dub and African music aesthetics, drum computers and synthesizers. EMI would end up only releasing one single before shelving the project due to budget problems created by the band's A&R rep. This release compiles two songs from their original single along with unreleased material recorded between 1982 and 1985. Despite their age, the music feels as if it could have been released today. If you need any convincing check out "More Women," "Shut The Door," and "Your Touch." You'll hear traces of Tom Tom Club, Flying Lizards and Soft Cell, and you might think this is the missing piece in your Italians Do It Better collection. Ten tracks in all, recommended.

• bone colored double vinyl pressing
• includes bonus 7" flexidisc w/ rare cover of Free's 'All Right Now' (please note: flexi discs are very thin and will not produce the same level of fidelity as a vinyl record)
• gatefold sleeve
• printed foldout insert w/ extensive liner notes
• original release year: 2013
• music label: Captured Tracks 2024

reviewed by Hank Ohs 10/2018