Disco de Terence Trent D'Arby: “Introducing the Hardline According to T.T. D'Arby”

A stunning debut if ever there was one. Terence Trent D'Arby's `Introducing the hardline' was definitely one of the best of 1987, years ahead of its time, and the fore runner to the D'Angelos, Maxwells and Seals of today.

Comprised of 10 of his compositions (produced and for the most part played by him), and an outstanding cover of the Smokie Robinson classic `Who's loving you', the album found success in the UK first hitting #1 and spinning off 4 top 20 hits. The success crossed over to the US in 1988 with the album hitting #4, selling over 2 million copies, and spinning off two top 5 singles, and winning the Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance.

D'Arby's rich gravelly yet elastic voice coupled with a retro soul/funk hybrid hearkened back to the soul greats of yesterday; Marvin, Stevie, James Brown, as well as contemporaries like MJ and Prince, a point he was never shy to loudly proclaim. He even proclaimed it the most important album since the Beatles' `Sgt. Pepper', cockiness that ultimately backfired.

Still, this is a stunning collection of music.

Opening track `If we all get to heaven' is a sweeping majestic questioning protest midtempo number, with his gravelly voice hitting some unbelievably high notes. It also features some Arabic influences.

`If you let me stay' is a retro sounding funky, energetic number, featuring a heartfelt plea to a lover. Wow!

Next is the US #1 `Wishing well', an upbeat dance number with razor sharp synths and that distinctive whistle.

`I'll never turn my back on you (Father's words)' is a lilting midtempo number with a reggae feel, and lyrics about a strained relationship between father and son.

The horn laden `Dance little sister' could have been done by the god father of soul himself. An energetic retro funk number that will get any grandma on the dance floor!

`Seven more days' is a slower lilting number. Beautiful.

`Let's go forward' is one of my absolute favourites on this CD. Awesome mid tempo number featuring the chameleon like nature of his vocals.

`Rain' is a lilting reggae-ish number.

The beautiful ballad `Sign your name' was a #4 US hit. Again, an outstanding vocal delivery, and wonderful percussion.

Then comes another highlight; the accapella `As yet untitled' with deeply moving lyrics about prejudice, and a very fiery, angry vocal delivery. D'Arby's performance on this song is simply beyond belief. Outstanding.

Closing out the collection is `Who's loving who', again stunning!

So was he right to toot his own horn?? Er..YES!!!!

Definitely a CD worthy of any music collection. A strong album from start to finish, and miles better than most of the music coming out today. A masterpiece!

Long before we heard of D'angelo, Musiq Soulchild, Maxwell, Tony! Toni! Tone! (and even Lenny Kravitz if you want to make a rock comparison), there was Terence Trent D'arby, a native New Yorker who became a R&B star in Great Britain first before making a splash here in the States. He undoubtedly was THE very first real "neo-soul" artist of sorts, way before anyone else thought of going in that direction musically. Most R&B acts were too busy trying to sound like Michael and Janet Jackson or Bobby Brown clones with synthesized music backing them in 1987. There was really no one out there who was performing REAL soul music...and then TTD stepped on the scene. With his band, Terence had a raspy, funky tenor that also could sound tender and romantic, depending on the song and an explosive stage act that made folks sit up and take notice. Listening to him definitely made you think of Sam Cooke, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and other old-school soul greats of the 1960s and '70s. He also infused elements of rock, funk and pop into his music, so you can imagine the appeal that this guy had.

I originally purchased INTRODUCING THE HARDLINE ACCORDING TO...TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY on cassette in 1987, and I was thoroughly impressed with what I heard. Apparently I wasn't alone in my feelings, because the album was a huge seller and a Grammy winner the following year. I brought the tape on the strength of seeing Terence sing "If You Let Me Stay" on some TV show and I was not disappointed with the rest of it. I recently purchased it on CD. HARDLINE kicks just as hard as it did then, and it sounds even better now because of the mediocrity and blandness that has taken over the music world in both the R&B and pop fields these days.

Although he had a tremendous ego and claimed to be more talented than the legendary vocalists mentioned above - plus others like The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the artist that most folks compared him to, Prince - I have to admit that Terence had every right to brag because this debut CD is a masterpiece from beginning to end. From dance tunes to slow jams, there is not a single cut on it that doesn't work. All you need to hear is the musical production and lyrical content of tunes like "If You Let Me Stay", "Sign Your Name", "Dance, Little Sister", "Let's Go Forward", "Seven More Days" and the #1 R&B hit "Wishing Well" and you'll know this guy is incredibly gifted. There is also a beautiful remake of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You". On later albums he insisted upon making music that only appealed to himself and his fans instead of to the public as a whole. That's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, I applaud it. But unfortunately that signaled the decline of his popularity, at least here in the United States. However, that did not diminish TTD's talent (evidence of that is the VIBRATOR CD...excellent). Give HARDLINE a listen...you'll agree that you are hearing a musical genius in action.

I am writing this review now, around 13 years after I first bought it. I used to listen to this one as I walked to and from 8th grade. What a great album. The big hit 'Wishing Well' isn't even the best on the album. 'Sign Your Name', 'Lets Go Forward', 'Seven More Days'.......these songs are superb. There's nothing like blastin a little Terence Trent in your ear to drown out the loud streets of NYC. I was on the subway once and had my earphones blasting. Some woman says to me, "damn that Terence Trent is good aint he?????'. I said "Sure is Woman!" and I smacked her Five!

On Martin Luther King's Birthday, local radio station KFOG was playing its "ten at ten" songs in honor of the meaning of the holiday and when I heard "As Yet Untitled" played, I was reminded about the poetic genius of Terence Trent. "Introducing the Hardline" was an unconventional album, which I discovered and played at a record store I worked in 1987, and as I first heard it, I was hearing music that was alive, lyrics written by a smart, young poet, and the experimental arrangements and mixtures of "Black" music. It seemed to be a type of album Prince was often trying for, and yet it was Terence Trent who succeeded!

"Wishing Well," for example, was not a conventional single with its erotic imagery, and yet somehow had the hook to slowly climb to number one of the charts! "If You All Get to Heaven" is a glorious peace protest song, "Dance Little Sister" is a good, soulful groove, "Let's Go Forward" is probably one of the best love songs written in the 80's, and "As Yet Untitled" is a wonderful soulful accapella tune that best captures the spirit of the emotions of an angry Black male in a prejudicial world. The album also showed signs of humor and self-references as well. Just as D'arby would get too serious, he'd sneak in a little humor. ("Neither Fish Nor Flesh," which I think is also a very good album, plays this last aspect a bit more).

It is sad that Terence Trent D'Arby's latest offering, Wildcard (he now calls himself Sananda Maitreya) is not offered in the States as of yet. This is an artist who deserves much more attention. A lot of mainstream listeners seemed to dismiss him from his ecclectic and self-referential second album ("Neither Fish Nor Flesh") and with the exception of some airplay of two singles from his 1993, Symphony and Damn album has been ignored by radio stations. D'Arby (Maitreya) is perhaps one of the most important contributors to the Black male voice and lyric when it comes to song and music.

TTD is truly a creative genius who is probably doing musically what others can only dream of. Each album he does shines with musicallity and orginality. It also helps to have the best voice this side of Stevie Wonder. Each of his albums hold a special place in my mind and soul but I keep coming back to this one. I heard this one first and each track is brilliant. From the haunting "Sign Your Name", to the funk of "If You Let Me Stay", to the beauty of the lyrics and vocals of "As Yet Untitled"-this album always brightens my day. You can hear the honesty and exuberant joy in each cut. I wish the world would wake up to TTD.