Tony L.
What is Black music? What is White music?
You missed my list which had >
Public Enemy
Dub Syndicate
Kid Creole
Dead Kennedys
and yes, the obvious Prince, Grace Jones and Michael Jackson.
(but I could re-do my list to fit in more Black artists that I purchased in the Eighties)
Thinking about Tony's comment re black music, I have a grand total of 1 modern album from black artists out of about 600 records. A few more on cd and plenty of jazz, but only 1 from 1970 onwards and that's a dance album.
Martyn, you clearly need more Fall albums.
He was correct with his post then.
Although PFM is leftish, not much regard for black music in general, no surprise to me though, Break Down the Door had little impact here, very strange indeed.
But there's jazz and blues where black musicians and composer excel.
you are at risk of sounding like you think black people have natural rhythm and run faster.
Could you make yourself clearer?
I got sucked into the politics of it at the time and really struggled with whether it was a good thing or not. This was the time of boycotting South Africa in all ways possible to try and bring an end to the brutal apartheid regime and Paul Simon clearly broke through that. I do have a copy and quite like it, and I certainly acknowledge it brought African music to the attention of folk who weren’t say Peel listeners. With 20/20 hindsight I think it was a good thing, but it sure smelt a bit funny at the time.
I never got into dance music, just not my thing. It’s a matter of taste but look at the key artists who were at the top of their game in the 80’s; the indie scene was probably at its peak also.
Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill
I always find Pitchfork’s lists a bit too knowing but this is closer to my recollection than the bbc list
https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-1980s/?page=10