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Hard Machine | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 1988 | |||
Recorded | 1985–88 | |||
Studio | F1 Studios, La Habra, California Atlantic Studios, New York | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 40:31 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Producer | Jon St. James | |||
Stacey Q chronology | ||||
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Singles from Hard Machine | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Hard Machine is the second studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released in February 1988 by Atlantic Records. After the international success of her song "Two of Hearts" and debut album Better Than Heaven (1986), Swain began working on her sophomore record. She again collaborated with her bandmates from SSQ. Produced by Jon St. James, Hard Machine is a dance-pop album, which is influenced by new wave, contemporary R&B and rock music.
Upon its release, Hard Machine received generally positive reviews from music critics and noted a small commercial success, peaking at number 115 on the Billboard 200.
Three singles were released from the album. The lead single, "Don't Make a Fool of Yourself" (Shep Pettibone Remix), released on March 25, 1988, peaked at number 19 on the Hot Crossover 30, [2] Number 4 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs, [3] Number 1 on the Top 12 inch Singles Sales chart, [3] and also peaking at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single "I Love You" peaked at Number 49 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs. "Favorite Things" was released as a promotional single.
Lovesexy is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Prince. The album was released on May 10, 1988, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album was recorded in just seven weeks, from mid-December 1987 to late January 1988, at Prince's new Paisley Park Studios, after the cancellation of the infamous Black Album and most of the album is a solo effort from Prince, with a few exceptions. The lyrical themes of the record include positivity, self-improvement, spirituality, and God.
Miami Sound Machine was an American Latin pop band of Latin-influenced music that featured the vocals of Cuban-born recording artist Gloria Estefan. Established in 1975 by Emilio Estefan, the band was originally known as the Miami Latin Boys before becoming the Miami Sound Machine in 1977.
Heart is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1973. The band evolved from previous projects led by founding members Roger Fisher (guitar) and Steve Fossen, including The Army (1967–1969), Hocus Pocus (1969–1970), and White Heart (1970–1973). By 1975, original members Fisher, Fossen, and Ann Wilson, along with Nancy Wilson, Michael Derosier (drums), and Howard Leese formed the lineup for the band's initial mid- to late-1970s success period. These core members were included in the band's 2013 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hot Buttered Soul is the second studio album by American soul musician Isaac Hayes. Released in 1969, it is recognized as a landmark in soul music. Recorded with The Bar-Kays, the album features four lengthy tracks, including a 12-minute version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David cover "Walk On By" and an almost 19-minute long version of Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix;" both songs were edited significantly and released as a double A-side single in July 1969.
Stacey Lynn Swain, known by her stage name Stacey Q, is an American pop singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. Her best-known single, "Two of Hearts", released in 1986, reached number one in Canada, number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten in five other countries.
The Gap Band was an American R&B and funk band that rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s. The band consisted of three brothers: Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, along with other members; it was named after streets in the historic Greenwood neighborhood in the brothers' hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lead Me On is the eighth studio album by Christian music singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 1988 through A&M Recordings.
SSQ is a synthpop outfit consisting of Stacey Swain, Jon St. James, and past members include Dan Van Patten and John Van Tongeren, Rich West, Karl Moët and Skip Hahn. Their debut album Playback received praise from critics when released in 1983. As of 2020, Jon St. James and Stacey Swain resurfaced as SSQ, releasing a full length album of new material titled Jet Town Je t’aime. As Stacey Q, Swain had a solo hit with her single “Two of Hearts” in 1986. SSQ members stayed on as her band for television and concert performances.
"Two of Hearts" is a song by American singer Stacey Q, first issued as an independent 12-inch dance club single by On the Spot Records, then picked up by Atlantic after achieving regional sales. It was written by John Mitchell and produced by Jon St. James, William Walker and Jeff Fishman. The song was Stacey Q's biggest hit; its global sales success fueled the recording of her debut album Better Than Heaven (1986), which included the song. The song was released as the album's lead single on June 13, 1986.
"We Connect" is a song recorded by American singer Stacey Q for her debut studio album Better Than Heaven (1986). The song was released as the album's second single on November 28, 1986 by Atlantic Records. Written by Willie Wilcox and produced by Jon St. James and Wilcox, the song was the follow-up to her hit single "Two of Hearts".
Other Roads is the tenth studio album by Boz Scaggs released in 1988. After an eight-year hiatus from recording, Scaggs returned in 1988 with this album, a record aimed primarily at the adult contemporary market.
Nights Like This is the third studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released on June 8, 1989 by Atlantic Records. It was her last album to be released on the Atlantic label before she went on a hiatus from making music until the release of her album Boomerang (1997). After the moderate commercial success of her album Hard Machine (1988), Swain decided to pursue a new musical direction. She again worked with Jon St. James but also invited other producers, such as Clivillés & Cole, Robert Gordon or Bruce Gaitsch, to achieve a different sound. Nights Like This is predominantly influenced by freestyle and house music, making it a musical departure from her previous work. The album is, like her album Hard Machine, dedicated to her friend and hair stylist, Danny Medellin, who died in 1988.
Better Than Heaven is the debut studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released on October 17, 1987, by Atlantic Records. Produced by Jon St. James, Better Than Heaven is predominantly a dance-pop album with elements of Hi-NRG, freestyle and new wave music. She collaborated with the same line-up of musicians with whom she had previously performed in the band SSQ. They later continued to work on her other solo albums, Hard Machine (1988) and Nights Like This (1989).
Playback is the first studio album by the American synthpop band SSQ, released in 1983 by Enigma and EMI America Records. It was the only album released by the band as SSQ until the release of their second album Jet Town Je t'aime in 2020, though the band members later worked on lead singer Stacey Q's debut album Better Than Heaven (1986) and follow-up album, Hard Machine (1988).
Bold as Love is the debut album by Bardeux. During their short run as a group, Bardeux spun off both mainstream and dance hits. Their first single "Magic Carpet Ride" peaked at number No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their third single and most notable song of their career was "When We Kiss," which peaked at No. 36 on the Hot 100. Their last single, "Hold Me, Hold Me", didn't chart. The album peaked at No. 104 on the Billboard 200. It is the only album on which Lisa "Jaz" Teaney appeared.
Primitive Love is the ninth studio album and second English-language record by the Miami Sound Machine, released in August 1985, by Epic Records. The album has sold over 6 million copies worldwide.
Touch the World is the fourteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1987 on Columbia Records. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Touch the World was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
"Don't Make a Fool of Yourself" is a song by American recording artist Stacey Q. It was taken from her second studio album, Hard Machine (1988). The song was written by Stacey Swain, Jon St. James and Skip Hahn and was produced by Jon St. James. The song was mixed by musician Shep Pettibone, who collaborated with artists like Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Janet Jackson and others. It was released as the album's first single on March 25, 1988 by Atlantic Records. The song peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #4 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The remix of the song topped one week on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The song was also featured in an episode on the 80s hit tv show Full House called "D.J. Tanner's Day Off"
American singer Stacey Q has released five studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play, thirteen singles, four promotional singles, and six music videos. Born Stacey Swain, she first served as the lead singer of the band SSQ put together by producer Jon St. James.
Sunshine is an album by American girl group the Emotions, released in November 1977 by Stax Records. The album reached No. 39 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The Emotions covered Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz " on the album.