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Raw Like Sushi

Raw Like Sushi is the debut studio album by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released 5 June 1989 by Virgin Records.[2] The album includes the commercially successful single "Buffalo Stance".

For the Mr. Big album, see Mr. Big discography.

Raw Like Sushi

5 June 1989

September 1988–January 1989

46:11 (vinyl)
67:22 (CD)

Virgin

Background[edit]

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".[3] 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 #3 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] #3 on the Billboard Hot 100[5] and #1 in the Netherlands[6] and Sweden.[7] The album also contains the #8 US[5] (and #20 UK[4]) hit "Kisses on the Wind", and the #5 UK hit "Manchild".[4]


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.

Music[edit]

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.[8]


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

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.

Note

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"

– toasting on "Heart"

Eagle-Eye Cherry

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"

– backing vocals on "Kisses on the Wind"

Claudia Fontaine

– vibraphone

Nellee Hooper

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"

– programming on "Manchild"

John Sharp

– beats and turntables on "Buffalo Stance" and "Heart"

Tim Simenon

Dynamik Duo – beats

– multi-instruments, beats on "Buffalo Stance"

Mark Saunders

– conductor, programming, string arrangements on "Manchild", backing vocals

Wil Malone

Gordon Dukes – backing vocals on "Outré Risqué Locomotive"

– programming, turntables on "Kisses on the Wind", "The Next Generation" and "So Here I Come"

Mushroom

Harris, Neil (17 June 1989). (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 52, no. 49. New York: The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc. p. 8. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022 – via World Radio History.

"Cherry on Top"

BBC News: Neneh Cherry revisits Raw Like Sushi track by track