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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
and Hocus Pocus too! Mark & Martin's swan song remembered, March 17, 2004
Amidst the bargain bins, somewhere between a Color Me Bad sales disaster release and multi-copies of Marky Mark's "You gotta believe", you'll find nestled another 'marketing miss' by the English new wave duo ABC, who created some of the genre's most memorable, soul-bearing, and finest pop records of the 1980s. 1991's MCA-only release "Abracadabra" was quick to enter discontinuity after two singles failed to make an impact on the US Pop charts given the duo's high expectations.
Despite the misfortunes of MCA (the company underwent major executive changes that trickled downward), ABC created a fantastic arangement of smooth-dance layered with jazz-esque rythms and cutting edge synth production. Fans of ABC won't be surprised to see the duo exploring yet another musical direction (from "Lexicon of Love's" orchestrated synth harmonies to "Up's" house dressing), this time marching down the groove of Philly street; the results are inventive yet soothing. From the simplistic imagery of "Love Conquers All" (the first single), to the magical motion of the instrumental "Satori", the production remains extremely tight, locking in the flavor of the recording without tarnishing its craftsmanship. Although primarily more mature than any of the duo's previous work, "Abra.." doesn't always hold back the intrinsic frustration of one Martin Fry. "I was a victim, but nobody's fool!" he boasts on "Welcome to the Real World", one of ABC's greatest album tracks in their recording history. "Say it", mixed by the short-lived dance act Blackbox ("Everybody Everybody"), springs forth a classic ABC moment, reminiscent of "Be near me" from the 'Zillionaire period. The bonus remix, however, is quite unnecessary despite the packaging of LPs during the early 1990s.
Calling "Abracadabra' a classic perhaps would be an overstatement. However, unlike "Lexicon", "'Zillionaire", or "Up", "Abra.." has withstood the test of time, remaining as fresh and contemporary as when it was first released. As other ABC albums become more available with Master Releases and compilations galore, "Abra.." is the gem of their diversive yet intriguing catalog. Available at most online auction sites, grab while you can!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another gem from ABC, March 15, 2004
Abracadabra, the final ABC album pairing vocalist Martin Fry and multi-instrumentalist Mark White, is by far the band's most underrated album, and a worthy addition to its catalogue, far better than the overrated Alphabet City. It's a satisfying mix of mellow house vibes and Philly soul, from the haunting "Spellbound" to the hip "Welcome to the Real World." There are some filler tracks, and its riches are subtle, which led to its commercial and critical disappointment. But if you've discovered the treasure that is ABC, you'll want to add this gem to your collection.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Abracadabra Is Fabulously Delicious!!!, June 24, 2005
I have been an ABC Martin Fry fan for as long as I can rememeber. This band has never gotten the recognition it deserves. We all know that the Lexicon Of Love is an absolute masterpiece from beginning to end but Abracadabra comes very very close. It is definately their best since the debut of Lexicon Of Love. It surpasses Alphabet City and the quirky How To Be A Millionaire by far. The music is funky, jazzy, soulful, with a club twist without the annoying standard club beat machine. And, what can be said about that soulful, sexy sound that comes from Martin Fry. It just doesn't get any better!!!
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