Customer Reviews

High Priority

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even before producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis started working with Janet Jackson, the production duo was already making history by crafting some of the greatest r&b singles of the 1980s. A handful of those songs can be found on Cherrelle's second album "High Priority," which has been digitally remastered and reissued. Its climax is the classic duet with Alexander O'Neal ("Saturday Love"), while "You Look Good to Me" and "Artificial Heart" pulsate with assertive force. The groove remains tight after all these years, but it's Cherrelle's voice that brings life and color to these songs. Unlike most modern records, "High Priority" doesn't sound like product; it sounds like MUSIC, and it's sung by a woman who clearly has some passion for it. The production may be a bit dated, but the songwriting certainly isn't. Those who have been wanting to get their hands on this previously out-of-print release finally have the chance to re-familiarize themselves with one of the more memorable r&b albums of the last 25 years.

The musical magic that producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis would give a production like this were phenomenal. At this point in artist's Cherelle Norton's career she was able to cross over to both r&b, funk, and dance-pop without alienating fans or confusing new ones. From the dramatic piano-synth intro called The Opening to the non-Jam and Lewis penned tunes the magical Minneapolis sound was unmistakeable ! There was no hip-hop, no rap. This old school R & B material was all about the artist actually singing and belting the tunes out ! Most popular tracks were You Look Good To Me, Artificial Heart (pre-Janet Jackson "Control" era), and the awesome Saturday Love ( a duet with Flyte Tyme colleague Alex O'Neal). For a re-union of the good ol' days of R&B from the 80's this is a sure bet !

Nothing can be added that has not already been said by the earlier critique of Cherelle's "High Priority".

Anyone with any appreciation of the "Minneapolis Sound", as personified by Jam & Lewis, Prince, and the Time, will relish in the production and artistry of Cherelle, a should-not-be-forgotten 80's diva.

This album brings back some memories I remember when I was elementary school that is when this album had came out I have always liked Cherelle she has an outstanding voice and the lyrics were good also I have always liked Cherelle and when I saw that her albums were available for purchase I purchase any one of her albums that I can it is worth it ..... This is a must have for any Cherelle or Alexander O'Neil fan I would truly reccommend this album to anyone who likes the sound of Minneapolis this is a great artist with a great voice and she always looked very nicely and she did all of her performances with class come back and make some more good music Cherelle!!!!

This is a good R&B album released in October of 1986. This is what TRUE R&B music was all about. Cherrelle's rich, light, but yet aggressive whinny soprano proved to be prominent in the 1980's, especially with the women. I recommend this album to classic and true R&B fans. I particularly do not care for the sound's of today's SUPPOSED R&B music. The best album by Pebbles's cousin. I also recommend Pebble's albums as well.

...BUT, while they produced this zippy, perky little soul siren, they made some AWESOMELY funky music together! SERIOUSLY! Her first three albums with Flyte Tyme went Gold! THAT tells ya sumpthin' right THERE! On this, her second full length recording, the funk got kicked off with the crunchy, raucous, "You Look Good to Me," but the REAL magic came in with the album's 2nd monster single, the CLASSIC and romantic, "Saturday Love," which not only made it to #2 on the R&B chart, but which also became a Pop Crossover SMASH! Other notables here include, "Artificial Heart" (the third single), "New Love," "Will You Satisfy" and "Where Do I Run To." Had Jam & Lewis not devoted so much time to developing the career of Janet Jackson, I truly believe that there would have been Cherrelle hits and many more Gold albums with them RIGHT THROUGH the 90's. Miss Norton is a 100% bona fide Old School R&B sista and hopefully, Jam & Lewis will kick it with her again sometime soon for old times' sake and who knows?...maybe anOTHER Gold album!

boy let me tell you cherrelle can jam i had this tape since 1995 very rare until they reissue it again it brings back good times best song where do i run to the whole tape is very hardcore she was the stuff back then whatever happen to her

This is Cherrelle's BEST album/CD. She may be from the 80's, but her music is still relevant today. More of these CD's need to be made available to people - this is GREAT MUSIC! Don't hold back, let's hear it: Cherrelle!

25 Best: R&B Classics (Spkg)Real 80's R&B
I first bought this music by Cherrelle in the form of a cassette back in 1985. It sounds as fresh and as current as it did back in the day. This CD reminded me of the creativity of the music that was in the 60's 70's and 80's. It made me sad that all the talent and creativity seems to have disappeared from today's R&B. Even, the so called "good" artistists of today do not hold a candle those singers and song writers of yester year. Oh, how I miss those glory years. This is a great C&D, one that every true lover of R&B would surely enjoy.

Cherrelle (The First Lady Of Flyte Tyme) was on a roll back in '85 when 'High Priority' dropped. The classic album (originally on the Tabu label) is now 21 years old!! That's right, Cherrelle's 2nd CD is over 2 decades old, and big thanks to The Right Stuff for reissuing this classic (which was previously out of print & only available as an overpriced Japanese Import!). As for the CD, it still crackles with that sophisticated Flyte Tyme funk...Jimmy & Terry were simply unstoppable, and this was BEFORE JANET's 'Control' appeared in '86!! Most of the songs have aged very well, and Cherrelle's vocals improved from her debut ('Fragile'). She's even more confident in her delivery, while riding the grooves painted by the Flyte Tyme Crew! Many of Cherrelle's greatest songs are here ('You Look Good To Me', 'Artificial Heart', 'New Love', and the timeless 'Saturday Love' featuring Alexander O'Neal). When it's all said & done, fans will enjoy revisiting 'High Priority'..It's a classic! Now, while I really appreciated the stellar liner notes by A.Scott Galloway, a few bonus tracks would've been more than welcome, so I remastered the joint MYSELF, and included the following bonus tracks...

13. You Look Good To Me - Extended Mix (9:11)
14. Artificial Heart - The Dance Mix (8:15)
15. Oh, No, It's You Again - Extended Mix (6:23)
16. Saturday Love - Extended Remix (8:40)
..and included as an EXTRA BONUS..
17. Never Knew Love Like This - Extended Mix (5:38)

All in all, I'd recommend 'High Priority' if you're a fan of Cherrelle or if you're a collector of Jam & Lewis' CLASSIC Flyte Tyme Productions from the 1980's -1990's. This was a great period indeed!

Peace, SD
(of 'Chaka's World')