Search - Belle Stars :: Belle Issima Sweet Memories

An 80s artist collection done right

Daniel W. Kelly | Long Island, NY United States | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this disc is really a dream come true for those who heard Belle Stars songs in the 80s on their favorite alternatve stations and wanted to have all their singles on one compilation. Not only does it include all their singles, but the entire "belle stars" LP is represented, including all the non-single tracks. And most important of all is all the full 12" versions, each running from 5 to 7 minutes long! However, you won't find the 12" mixes of "Iko Iko" on here--their biggest US hit due to its inclusion in the movie Rain Man several years after they broke up--because that 12" was released at the time of the movie. You also won't get one of their biggest US club hits "World Domination", because it was recorded on a different label with not exactly the same line up of belle stars.



If you're not familiar with the belle stars, they're a combo of a new wave/ska/brit pop/dance. The similarities in their sound to Bananarama is blatant, from the song styles to the vocal harmonies. Lead vocals often remind me of Annabella from Bow Wow Wow, sort of deep and throaty. But the Bananarama comparison is the best. If you love Bananarama sounds before they teamed up with Stock Aitken Waterman for a streak of HiNrg hits, then you'lll most likely enjoy the Belle Stars."