For volume #1 on Keith Valcourt's Music Appreciation Society I spotlight the 80's funk jazz combo Curiosity Killed The Cat. Formed in 1984 the funky foursome was comprised of Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot (vocals), Julian Godfrey Brookhouse (guitarist)
Nick Thorpe (bassist) & Migi Drummond (drums) quickly made a name for themselves on the London club scene and signed to Mercury Records.
Their debut CD "Keep Your Distance" was released in 1987 and is nothing short of pure pop perfection. It features a blend of 1980s pop with jazzy riffs and silky smooth vocals. If you are a fan of everyone from Steely Dan to The Blow Monkey, Sade, Level 42 and Swing Out Sister you need this CD in your collection.
At the time the band was unfairly compared to other British pop "Boy Bands" like Wet Wet Wet and Johnny Hates Jazz because of their stylist videos and model good looks. Critics dismissed them. Which is a shame because the guys could actually play their asses off. Singles for the disc ruled the British charts. "Down To Earth" hit number 3. "Misfit" was at number 7. And "Ordinary Day" went to number 11. The U.S. charts were much harder to crack. The only real interest the band captured here was after POP Art God Andy Warhol directed and appeared in their music video for "Misfit." My favorite tracks include the singles and the ultra breezy single "Free."
Nick Thorpe (bassist) & Migi Drummond (drums) quickly made a name for themselves on the London club scene and signed to Mercury Records.
Their debut CD "Keep Your Distance" was released in 1987 and is nothing short of pure pop perfection. It features a blend of 1980s pop with jazzy riffs and silky smooth vocals. If you are a fan of everyone from Steely Dan to The Blow Monkey, Sade, Level 42 and Swing Out Sister you need this CD in your collection.
At the time the band was unfairly compared to other British pop "Boy Bands" like Wet Wet Wet and Johnny Hates Jazz because of their stylist videos and model good looks. Critics dismissed them. Which is a shame because the guys could actually play their asses off. Singles for the disc ruled the British charts. "Down To Earth" hit number 3. "Misfit" was at number 7. And "Ordinary Day" went to number 11. The U.S. charts were much harder to crack. The only real interest the band captured here was after POP Art God Andy Warhol directed and appeared in their music video for "Misfit." My favorite tracks include the singles and the ultra breezy single "Free."
Curiosity Killed The Cat's second debut pulled off a feat not often delivered by a band on their sophomore release, surpassing the brilliant debut release with an even higher quality disc. "Getahead" came out in 1989 is packed with lush, groove heavy sounds of summer party. The vibe is as equal parts celebration as it is lament. Tracks "Do You Believe In" and "Cascade" dare you not to sing along after just one listen.
The ballad "In The First Place" still moves me to tears every time. The lead single "Name & Number" has been successfully sampled/covered by both De La Soul and Little Mix.
The ballad "In The First Place" still moves me to tears every time. The lead single "Name & Number" has been successfully sampled/covered by both De La Soul and Little Mix.
For the band's third and final CD "Back To Front" Curiosity Killed The Cat reduced their size (to a trio) and ditched "Killed The Cat" from their name. Becoming simply Curiosity. As was the case with Kajagoogoo, the name reduction didn't work. It confused the fans. Truth be told, I didn't even know this CD existed until the summer of 2013, some 20 years after it was released. I bought it as a $30.00 import from Japan.
The disc was never released in America or Canada and only saw limited light of day in the U.K. Soon afterwards the band went away.
Although the CD lacks the hits of their first two releases, it does feature a couple of great covers in the form of "Hang On In Their Baby" and "Killing Me Softly." The production is very 1990s, with the pre programed drums making most songs sound hollow. Think "Been Around The World" by Lisa Stansfield. The two best tracks on the CD "Work It Out" and "Gimme The Sunshine" would fit well on a Curiosity Killed The Cat best of mix CD, which I'll gladly make for you for a price. (Either $8.00 or 2 boxes of thin mints Girl Scout Cookies.)
In recent years Curiosity Killed The Cat (now reduced to just singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot) has played at several retro festivals but only in England and Scotland. Damn it! My dream is that someday Curiosity Killed The Cat will play an 80s fest here in America. Perhaps with The Blow Monkeys, Nik Kershaw and Level 42.
Next time you are at your local record store (yes, they still exist) or thrift store look for Curiosity Killed The Cat CDs "GetAhead" or "Keep Your Distance." Or get the deluxe edition of the debut CD online. Both deserve your music appreciation.
Keith Valcourt
The disc was never released in America or Canada and only saw limited light of day in the U.K. Soon afterwards the band went away.
Although the CD lacks the hits of their first two releases, it does feature a couple of great covers in the form of "Hang On In Their Baby" and "Killing Me Softly." The production is very 1990s, with the pre programed drums making most songs sound hollow. Think "Been Around The World" by Lisa Stansfield. The two best tracks on the CD "Work It Out" and "Gimme The Sunshine" would fit well on a Curiosity Killed The Cat best of mix CD, which I'll gladly make for you for a price. (Either $8.00 or 2 boxes of thin mints Girl Scout Cookies.)
In recent years Curiosity Killed The Cat (now reduced to just singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot) has played at several retro festivals but only in England and Scotland. Damn it! My dream is that someday Curiosity Killed The Cat will play an 80s fest here in America. Perhaps with The Blow Monkeys, Nik Kershaw and Level 42.
Next time you are at your local record store (yes, they still exist) or thrift store look for Curiosity Killed The Cat CDs "GetAhead" or "Keep Your Distance." Or get the deluxe edition of the debut CD online. Both deserve your music appreciation.
Keith Valcourt
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