Review: “So Good” by Mica Paris (CD, 1988)

Today’s POP RESCUE from a future uncertain is the 1988 debut Mica Paris album called So Good. Is this album So Good, or is there something more Tempting out there? Read on…

Mica Paris - So Good (1988) album. — Mica Paris’ 1988 album ‘So Good’ (in a sandpit)

My only exposure to Mica Paris prior to this album has been her occasional appearances on NOW! That’s What I Call Music compilation albums.

Mica is joined on this album by the legendary saxophonist Courtney Pine (no obligatory 80s saxophone here!), and Will Downing.

The album opens with that Courtney Pine collaboration, and second single, Like Dreamers Do, and Courtney is straight in there with the sax. Mica’s vocals have a wide range in this song, and it really shows off her vocal skills in this up-beat track.

My One Temptation was her debut, and is probably one of her best known songs. This is pure 80s, but it’s catchy, has a nice gentle tempo, and I found the chorus tempting me to sing along (i did).

I swear that Nothing Hits Your Heart Like Soul Music begins with a strike of a cue ball. I’ve listened to it a few times and can’t imagine it being anything else than a pool game going on in the studio. The rest of this track is great, complete with 80s synth stabs and beats. Once again, it’s catchy, and singalong.

Saxophone opens the ballad Sway (Dance The Blues Away) – a track that showcases Mica’s soulful vocals perfectly.

Next up is Don’t Give Me Up, and this is probably the weakest song on the album, although it does include the vocals of Will Downing.

Thankfully Breathe Life Into Me comes along, which is a bit more up-tempo and interesting, and it became the third single in 1988.

I love the double bass introduction and bass line on the track I’d Hate To Love You. Occasionally Mica’s vocals get a bit lost under the music, but it’s otherwise a good strong track.

Great Impersonation is the eighth track, and it’s another great strong track. Unmistakably 1980s, but it’s catchy.

Penultimate track is Words Into Action, feels like a 70s BeeGees ballad in places, and sees her duet with singer Paul Johnson.

The album closes with the title track So Good, and it feels like the perfect ending, almost acting as an encore to Mica’s vocal range, the backing singers, and musicians.

Some versions of this album switch the track Words In Action for another Will Downing duet, and cover of the Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway single Where Is The Love, which was released as the fourth and final single from this album. However, unfortunately this edition does not include that track.

Mica Paris’ lead single ‘My One Temptation’

Verdict

One thing to note is that Mica looks uncomfortable in her album artwork. Not smiling, and perhaps not entirely enamoured by the prospect of laying on sand, probably somewhere in a Bedfordshire quarry.

And in her debut music video (see above), you can see that she was so determined to start her career, that whilst the studio is catching fire, she, as a complete professional, continues filming.

Over all though, this album is a smooth slick collection of songs. The singles really stand out here, with only a couple of album-only tracks faltering and detracting from a full rating.

Definitely give this album a listen.