Various Artists

Funky Nassau

The Compass Point Story 1980-1986

(Strut)

Record Review by Sean P. Lambert

The ‘80s will never die! Considering our present economic plummet, foreign policy cluster-fuck and the trickle-down approach to everything from Big Business to paltry attempts at concern for the little guy, maybe we as a nation require some retro escapist music to soothe our frazzled minds. Pass the blow and turn up the Casio! Let’s venture all the way to The Bahamas, where Chris Blackwell’s Compass Point Studios churned out some incredibly innovative time signatures, rhythms and the most technologically explorative sounds the then-pop charts had ever known. We must regain a bit of our sanity by looking back on what sounded good then (and still does now) or suffer the wrath of our current selves over and over again. 

Considering model, actress and friend to Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, begins the album in full contralto with her 12” version of “My Jamaican Guy,” the proverbial doors are thrown open to much sonic exploration by equally challenging artists. The Talking Heads were wise enough to do a stint on the islands, recording the funk-heavy, polyrhythmic “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” for their incredible Remain in Light album, which sounds as fresh as ever nearly three decades later. Reggae legend Sly Dunbar got in on the fun, laying-down his African-tweaked “River Niger” with an extended horn solo over driving bass and more signature keyboard tickling. Keeping with that vibe, this compilation also includes Lizzy Mercier Descloux’s cover of “Sun Is Shining,” putting a Parisian twist on Bob Marley’s mellow tune. Besides, we desperately need the Tom Tom Club’s super catchy “Genius Of Love” to remind us I’m in heaven with my boyfriend lest we forget the simple things in life worth celebrating.

Cristina’s monologue over music “You Rented A Space” isn’t nearly as effective as the songs preceding it, but isn’t so bad it’s worth skipping over to get to Ian Dury & The Seven Seas Players' “Spasticus Autisticus,” a weirdly appealing early hip hop gem. The closing “Adventures in Success (Dub Copy)” by Will Powers is an elongated instrumental behemoth, dropping hard beats amidst unique reverb, light guitar licks, horn bleats and an overall delivery that ebbs and flows nicely throughout.

There’s more by Guy Cuevas, Set The Tone, Gwen Guthrie, Bits & Pieces, and Chaz Jankel feat. Laura Weymouth, but you get the overall idea, don’t you? Yeah, the '80s produced some unquestionably disposable music from production houses way more interested in quick money-making hits over quality productions. Compass Point Studios wasn’t one of them. There’s so much inventive fun in the sun here it’s certainly worth giving these cuts another go-around.