Buddy X - Neneh Cherry, Biggie Smalls, and The Masters at Work?
The 1990s produced some really good music. I mean some really good music. From Reggae to House, and from Soul to Hip Hop.
It seemed as if the artist/s were always looking to put out the very best tracks that they could deliver.
Here is one such track that in my opinion doesn’t get enough credit.
I have already mentioned one great track already made by Neneh Cherry already on this very website. It’s called “Buffalo Stance”.
However, Neneh Cherry's musical repertoire is vast. It ranges from Jazz to Rock; from Rap to Punk and finally from Funk to Techno.
However, she came good on a number of occasions with songs from her past – which has resulted in good press.
However, there is a song that I am going to discuss with you now for some reason that didn’t get the same adulation.
The song in question is “Buddy x” made in 1992. Legend has it that the song was constructed on the behavior of the singer/songwriter/musician that is Lenny Kravitz. Neneh Cherry learned that Lenny Kravitz was quite a ladies' man.
Neneh being disappointed by his behavior decided to construct a song about this behavior, and the impact that this was having on her friend which was Lisa Bonet; Lenny Kravitz was in a relationship with her at the time.
The song was originally released as an Rnb track, and it did quite well on the pop charts. Within this same single it features a sample of a song made by Sam and Dave called “Rich kind of Poverty” created in 1967 which was used in the composition of “Buddy x”.
The single that is “Buddy X” was featured in the album called “Homebrew” which wasn’t that successful for Nenah Cherry (1992)
The Buddy X Lyrics are below:
Call yourself a family man
Talking about the families plan
To bring the sweet talk deep and down
Works better than an average pick-up line
You put your woman out to pasture
On the promises, you gave her last year
Peace and love are on your head
And the grass is greener playing 'round
Your family seed is what you spread
Buddy my friend
Who do you think you fooling
Buddy my friend
And what about your woman
Buddy my friend
Who do you think you fooling
Buddy my friend
I don't care what you do
But there's a hypocrite that lives in you
Cause if your woman gave her love
In the same way that you do
You'd feel a way
You know you would
Buddy my friend
Who do you think you fooling
Buddy my friend
And what about your woman
Buddy my friend
Who do you think you fooling
Buddy my friend
However the “Buddy X” House mix single is still being played today within soulful house clubs around the world due to the incredible house mixes that were made for the release at the time by the Masters at Work House team.
The Masters at Work Dj/producers (Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez and Little “Louie” Vega) were at the heights of the powers and were fast becoming the latest Dj/producer superstars of House music.
And when you listen to the House mixes that they supplied for this single then you can see why.
It is my belief that the House music remixes of this song, made by the duo made up the minds of many A/list music celebrities to sort them out as the hottest DJs/producers in town.
There is also another mix for this “Buddy x” single that marks this track out for legendary status. It features a “rap” by Biggie Smalls on this single as well.
Cherry admitted that she and her husband Cameron McVey picked up Biggie Smalls for the studio where they remained for the rest of the session.
The song in which he agreed to take part “Rap” was completed in one take by Biggie Smalls!
Neneh Cherry – Buddy X – 1992
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However, it is the House music mixes that gained critical acclaim.
The House music mixes that were supplied for “Buddy x”. It is the drum programming that immediately captures your attention.
Nice and crisp and captures your attention. Then soon after we are greeted by those simple, but lovely Rhodes chords and their chord progression that comes into the track.
As soon as it does those chords become a permanent feature within the tune; we are eventually graced by the vocals of Neneh Cherry.
It is at this point that you will find yourself smiling to yourself. Everything fits.
It’s a wonderful mix/single. I truly believe that this was the mix that “made” The Masters at Work internationally. And I truly believe that this should have been the official release of this single in 1992
Yes, they had made classic tracks before. But this was the one that made people sit up and take notice.
It's difficult to say. Very Difficult. But in my opinion, after 1992/1993 Masters at Work had taken over Todd Terry as the “New” House music superstar. Even though Todd Terry was still causing dance floor mayhem with tracks like “Sume Sigh Say and Samba” at the time.
With their prolific output and quality of the work via remixes many saw them as the new Kings of the Dj/Producers for House music remixers.
But I have to give credit to the vocals of Neneh Cherry on this single. Her vocals fitted the music production of this single like a glove. I wished that she had worked more with theMasters at Work as she would have more great tracks like this.
Have a listen to the song, and out of all the mixes that are available on this single. This was the best mix of the lot on the 12-inch single release of this song in my opinion.
Neneh Cherry – Buddy X – 1992 (Masters at Work House mix)
PLEASE CLICK BELOW ON THIS IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT NENEH CHERRY'S 1ST BIG HIT:
Buffalo Stance – Remember that track?
Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.
Please
Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com
