Saâda Bonaire. The fantastic disco/world music project from Bremen, Germany which never was meant to be. Formed by Bremen DJ Ralf Behrendt in 1982, Saâda Bonaire was a unique concept band centred around two sultry female vocalists (Stefanie Lange and Claudia Hossfeld) and dozens of local musicians culled from the local immigration center. Originally signed to EMI in 1982, their first and only single, “You Could Be More As You Are” was produced by legendary Matumbi, Slits and Pop Group producer Dennis Bovell in Kraftwerk’s studio in Cologne. The fusion of husky female vocals, Eastern instruments, dub and African music aesthetics, drum computers and synthesizers remains unique to this day. EMI cancelled the project upon its release. Saâda Bonaire compiles two songs from the original EMI single plus 11 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1982 and 1985. Also included are neverbefore-published photos and in-depth interviews with band members and a full gatefold cover for those dedicated vinyl buyers. These lost recordings from the early 80s still sound fresh on today’s dance floor.

STAFF COMMENTS

Mine says: For anyone who, like Pasta Paul, has been furiously checking Discogs for an affordable copy in the UK over the last few years, there is good news! Captured Tracks are finally blessing us with another reissue of what has become a bit of a cult classic. And deservedly so! Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Saâda Bonaire.

TRACK LISTING

1. You Could Be More As You Are
2. Invitation
3. Little Sister
4. More Women
5. I Am So Curious
6. Second Face
7. Heart Over Head
8. Shut The Door
9. The Facts
10. Give Me A Call
11. Wake Up City
12. Joanna
13. Your Touch

Until recently, it was thought that we had heard all there was to hear from Saâda Bonaire. The German studio project’s 1980s recordings had been compiled on the now cult-classic double LP Saâda Bonaire, released by Captured Tracks in 2013. Though the group had continued working until 1994, founder Ralph “von” Richtoven had firmly stated that all of their post-1986 work was lost. Released now for the first time ever,1992 compiles the band’s long-lost early nineties material. Produced between Bremen and New York City, the 12 songs presented here capture the group’s attempts at steering their trademark fusion sound (reggae, afro-funk, Eastern music, and sultry German female vocals) into uncharted nu jazz, trip-hop, and house territories.

It’s no surprise, given both the time lapse and the fluid nature of the project, that these recordings differ sonically from the 1980s material.1992 finds Saâda Bonaire folding new influences from the time (house, hip-hop, rap) into their eclectic sonic universe. Vocalist Andrea Ebert’s soulful voice –the result of a church choir background and an early love of American soul and jazz music– offset Stephanie Lange’s laid-back, more German-sounding vocals. This unique interplay bolstered the band’s new direction - evident in their inspired takes on James Brown’s “Woman” and Syreeta Wright and Stevie Wonder’s “To Know You Is To Love You”. The American influence was also made literalvia contributions by renowned DJ Matthias Heillbronn and rapper Jimmy Lee Patterson, both of whom lent some stardust to the track sat François Kevorkian’s Axis Studios in NYC.

Unfortunately, the demo recordings were considered too bizarre for1990s record label standards, and as a result were never published. As with all things Saâda Bonaire, the discovery of these discarded recordings feels like a sort of magical impossibility. It’s been nearly ten years since the release of the last compilation, and thirty since the recordings were originally captured. That they still manage to sound fresh and avant garde is a testament to Saâda Bonaire’s flair for creating pop music for past, present, and future outsiders.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: While the material we got from the SUPERB 2013 Captured Tracks offering differed quite a bit from what we get here, there is still a clear line to be drawn between them where composition and production is concerned. Just imagine the off-kilter soulful, percussive nature of that stormer and add in some hazy 90's house vibes and a healthy dose of hip-hop influence and you might be somewhere near to describing it. Singularly voiced, and completely unique new chapter here from the great Saâda Bonaire.

TRACK LISTING

LP:
1. Woman
2. To Know You Is To Love You
3. Extremes
4. So Many Dreams
5. Running
6. Okay It’s Over
7. That’s Right
8. Lovelife
9. Your Prince
10. 7th House
11. Move From The Heart
12. Follow Your Mind

CD:
1. Woman
2. To Know You Is To Love You
3. Extremes
4. So Many Dreams
5. Running
6. Okay It’s Over
7. That’s Right
8. Lovelife
9. Your Prince
10. 7th House
11. Move From The Heart
12. Follow Your Mind
13. So Many Dreams (NYC Classic Edit)
14. So Many Dreams (1992 Demo Mix)
15. So Many Dreams (Amek Live Dub)