There was a lot going on in 1990 but if I had to pick one thing it's best remembered for I'd say it's the Soul II Soul beat. The best of these came from American producer Quincy Jones, not someone who you thing would be influenced by a collective from London but he clearly was here.
I can also see a Soul II Soul influence in "Got To Have Your Love" by Mantronix, a new sound for them having had hits with rap records previously. Further down the table we have "Walk On By" by Sybil which I do like, there are just better records.
Nellee Hooper was a member of Soul II Soul at the time and he produced "Nothing Compares 2 U" which is the only decent thing Sinead O'Connor has ever done.
For my top pick though it's in the world of new jack swing with "Juicy" by Wreckx-N-Effect. It's a cover of the record by Mtume which Notorious BIG also famously did a version of, but this is the best version for me.
In 2nd place we have the Adamski debut hit "N-R-G". He was already an established name in the rave scene and was one of the early British producers of techno music.
Completely different sound in 3rd place with Del Amitri debuting with "Nothing Ever Happens" which has got better with age. Some Birmingham reggae in 4th that's not UB40. And Why Not? were short lived and "The Face" was their biggest hit.
In 5th we have Deacon Blue with "Queen Of The New Year" where the only bad thing I can say about it is that it's not "Real Gone Kid". Similarly with Public Enemy in 8th with "Welcome To The Terrordome" which is solid Public Enemy but they've done better.
In 9th we have "Happenin All Over Again" which I fell should go in the guilty pleasure category because it's Stock Aitken & Waterman wanting to make a Donna Summer record but getting someone else to dress up as Donna Summer and sing it.
Stock Aitken & Waterman find themselves down the bottom via "Tears On My Pillow" by Kylie Minogue which I very much remember hating at the time and still haven't changed my mind.
At 2nd from bottom we have Rod Stewart doing one of his many shit covers. At the time I remember thinking he was an old duffer who needed to retire. Little did I know he'd still be going 35 years later.
I remember the silly lyrics of "you set my lips on fire" in "Instant Replay" by Yell! and also remember New Kids on the Block being uncool to like when they did "Hangin Tough".
Perhaps a surprise one 5th from bottom with "I Called You" by Lil Louis & the World given it's a house record, but I just find it irritating.
Going into mid-table territory we have Phil Collins drumming for Eric Clapton on "Bad Love" and Eric Clapton playing the guitar for Phil Collins with "I Wish It Would Rain". Both good records, but "Bad Love" edges it because of the tempo.
A solid start to the decade with music records getting at least 3 and the Top 2 both get 5.
Score: 57
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