Perfect Timing (Kiki Dee album)

Perfect Timing
Studio album by Kiki Dee
Released	19 June 1981
Recorded	1980–81
Studio	RAK, London
Genre	Pop, rock
Length	44:07
Label	Ariola
Producer	Pip Williams
Kiki Dee chronology
Stay with Me (1979) Perfect Timing (1981) Angel Eyes (1987)

Perfect Timing is the seventh studio album by British singer Kiki Dee, released by Ariola Records on 19 June 1981. ^[1] The album marked a brief comeback for the singer, led by the top 20 single "Star". ^[2] It was her only album on Ariola Records and reached No.47 on the UK album charts. ^[3] The title track was also released, peaking at No.66. ^[2] Two further singles were released; "Midnight Flyer" and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" (a duet with Elton John). The album was produced by Pip Williams.

The album was re-released on CD in 2008 with four bonus tracks - those included are "Give It Up", which had been released as a single in Japan in 1980 and was the B-side to "Star".

Opening track "Star" was later used as the opening theme for TV's Opportunity Knocks between 1987 and 1990. ^[4] It was also used by Debenhams as part of their Christmas Advert 2018 ^[5] with the tagline “do a bit of you know you did good”.

Among the musicians playing on this album are keyboardist Patrick Moraz of Yes and the Moody Blues and Steve Holley of Wings.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
Record Collector	[7]
Smash Hits	[8]

AllMusic gave the album a highly positive review (despite it awarding it just two stars) saying that the album had "great substance" and was "a real gem worth hearing anytime and anyplace", ^[6] while Record Collector said that on the album "she sings like [a star], treating highly-produced numbers such as the title track, roadhouse raunchers such as 'Midnight Flyer' and a slowed-down 'Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever' (duetting with her pal Elt) with soul and panache". ^[7]

Track listing

Side One

1. "Star" (Doreen Chanter) – 3:18
2. "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" (duet with Elton John) – (Ivy Hunter, Stevie Wonder) – 5:05
3. "Wild Eyes" (Chris Bradford) – 4:26
4. "Twenty Four Hours" (Reid Kaelin, Gary Osborne, Kiki Dee) – 4:15
5. "Perfect Timing (It Will Be Precise)" (Kit Hain) – 5:45

Side Two

1. "Midnight Flyer" (Doreen and Irene Chanter) – 3:30
2. "There's a Need" (Erik Kaz, Kiki Dee) – 4:10
3. "Another Break" (Pip Williams, Peter Hutchins) – 4:23
4. "Love is Just a Moment Away" (Teresa Straley, Eddy Brown) – 3:35
5. "You Are My Hope in This World" (Bias Boshell) – 5:40

Bonus tracks

1. "Give It Up" (Erik Kaz, Kiki Dee) – 4:15
2. "Perfect Timing" (12" version) (Kit Hain) – 7:20
3. "The Chase is Finally On" (Bias Boshell, Gary Osborne, Kiki Dee, Pip Williams) – 3:27
4. "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" (Alternate Mix) (Ivy Hunter, Stevie Wonder) – 5:13

Personnel

• Kiki Dee - lead vocals, guitar
• Pip Williams - guitar, production
• Gary Twigg - bass
• Patrick Moraz - keyboards
• Bias Boshell - keyboards
• Steve Holley - drums
• Bob Jenkins - drums
• Frank Ricotti - percussion

Technical

• Gregg Jackman - recording engineer
• Phil Thornalley - recording and mixing engineer

References

1. "Record News: Kiki LP, tour soon". New Musical Express . 13 June 1981. p. 40. ISSN   0028-6362.
2. "Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
3. "perfect timing | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts . Retrieved 29 April 2017.
4. "» Kiki Dee". www.kikiandcarmelo.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
5. "The 2018 Debenhams Christmas ads celebrate people who buy thoughtful gifts" . Independent.co.uk . 7 November 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
6. "Perfect Timing - Kiki Dee". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
7. "Perfect Timing". Record Collector Magazine. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
8. Dellar, Fred (9 July 1981). "Smash Hits album reviews". Smash Hits: 41.