Teena Marie | Emerald City
Back in the Day Music Review
Teena Marie – Emerald City (Epic Records – 1986)
By Randy Holmes
On December 26, 2010, the untimely passing of our Santa Monica, California born and raised, "Ivory Queen of Soul", Miss Mary Christine Brockert - proFUNKshionally known throughout the world as Miss Teena Marie or "Lady T" if you will - took not only the music industry by surprise but the entire world by surprise. Although she had many enduring hits, mainly in the R&B landscape, she unfortunately was shockingly and horribly underrated. Her work with the legendary Rick James and, of course, her solo output, still holds paramount in the land of Funk and Soul.
We all know the incredible body of work she's produced over the years, so I'm just going to delve into the work of this often misunderstood project of hers - one she called, "Emerald City". Released on Epic Records in 1986, the album found Teena taking the formula of her past hits, "Square Biz", "Behind The Groove" and "Lovergirl", and COMPLETELY throwing them out the window to make this fantastic and artistic value raising album. Though it may not have fared well sales-wise, to me, this is the BEST album of her career. I know a lot of you reading this are going to beg to differ with me - and that's OK. It just lets me know how high the standard of her writing was, and the integrity she put forth into her work.
On this brilliant piece of art, she assembled some of the best musicians to help fulfill her vision of an album that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. Those musicians include her longtime collaborator/bassist Allen McGrier, world-renowned bassist Stanley Clarke (an Epic label-mate), session extraordinaire drummer John "J.R" Robinson, venerable session vocalists The Waters (Maxine & Julia), jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis, funk superstar bassist/singer Bootsy Collins, session extraordinaire bassist Abraham Laboriel, Sr., session extraordinaire percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, the late Blues-Rock guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughn (another then-label-mate), and a slew of other talented session musicians. Now let's check out some of the highlights of "Emerald City", that I feel best exemplify her sheer genius.
"Once Is Not Enough" is a slice of funk that cuts through like a sharp knife on the toughest of metal. This feet and hip motivator feature chuck full of funky bass guitar slaps, and rhythm guitar licks, and one head splitting guitar solo. They all fit like a hand in glove, with programmed drums that are so perfectly executed, you'll swear they were performed by a live drummer. Teena knew her stuff. The performances of the various Oberheim synthesizers used rang throughout this track as if it's life depended on it. Paulinho's percussion work is nothing to sneeze at either, as his timbale solo held it's own amidst all that funk. Of course, Miss T herself sung with the roar of a lion and the bite of a cobra - loud and venomous !
"Lips To Find You" incorporates a more subtle Rock `N Roll/pseudo New Wave approach that works well in tandem with the driving, funky bass guitar licks in conjunction with the synthesizer runs. The track itself is aggressive in nature in that it fluidly rolls on the percussive excursion of wood blocks, tambourine, and congas. Teena's acrobatic Lexicon digital delayed reverb vocals wrap around the mind, body and soul as she sings about those lips that will find that dream lover. To get more of this funk up in you, check out the video here.
"You So Heavy" is a hauntingly dark and mysterious number…not in a bad sense, just different from what she's done in the past. Like I said previously, that's what made this album BRILLIANT ! She took chances and expanded beyond the R&B thing, and that's what a TRUE musician is supposed to do. Just ask the King of that mentality, The Purple One himself, Prince. The delayed/reverb hall effect used on Teena's lead and background vocals rise above the sweeping effects on the synthesizers without compromising their contribution. It's an epic piece of sorts - and that was NOT intended to be a reference to the record company. It feels like Teena is taking you on a journey, and the final destination is the Rock `N Roll/Metal solo of the great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Definitely one of the album's standout tracks - one meant to be played loud !
"Shangri-La" is not a ballad in the traditional sense, but it's more laid back and mid tempo'd than most of the songs here. Once again, Teena's lead and background doubled vocal parts reign supreme here. The enclave of synthesizers is almost gothic in texture and approach - very dark and sinister, yet sounding great. The programmed and live performed percussion parts certainly work well in the grand scheme of things here, keeping the tempo in line with the overall feel of the song.
"Sunny Skies”, featuring the great Stanley Clarke on upright acoustic bass and Branford Marsalis on tenor sax, is a jazz lover's paradise. Though marvelous, it's not the instrumentation of this song that stands out the most. It's Teena's jazz vocal chops that will have the hair on the back of your neck and arms standing at attention. I mean, wow, wha, wha, what can I say really ?? It's just flawless !! .... and that's an understatement to say the least!!. But not to leave anyone out, Stanley Clarke - being the great bassist that he is - will completely mesmerize you with his nimble fretwork as he commands that instrument on all levels. Of course, New Orleans’ favorite son, Branford Marsalis lets loose with a killer saxophone solo that, though brief, totally drives the tune home with his heavy and husky style of playing. (Editor’s Note: An extended version of “Sunny Skies” with more of Branford’s tenor soloing is available on the Epic/Legacy collection Teena Marie: Love Songs).
If you DO NOT own “Emerald City” - whether it be vinyl, cassette, CD or whatever format they're coming out with now - and you call yourself a true Teena Marie fan ?! ..... Well, that leaves me no other choice but to call you out and tell you that YOU'RE NOT !! C'mon now ! And if you DO own this album, listened to it once and said to yourself, "Eh, it was alright - not exactly ‘Starchild’ or ‘It Must Be Magic’, but it's OK" .... then all I can do is go .... Tsk ! Tsk! Tsk ! Umm mmm mmm ! (((while shaking my head side to side))) But you know what ? ..... It's never too late to redeem yourself. As soon as you're finished reading this review, get up, go to your collection, get out this record, shut off the cell, and listen to it again ..... with an open mind this time around.
All kidding aside ladies and gentlemen, this record is truly a must have. If you don't own it at all, please allow me to steer you in the right direction of Amazon.Com where you can pick one up. Here you go ! (If you could find it cheaper, then you're good): www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=teena+marie+emerald+city+
R.I.P. Teena, we miss you !
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 5/27/2011 8:09 AM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Agreed. EMERALD CITY is a misunderstood masterpiece. "Shangri-La" is my jam!!!
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Thanks for responding to my comment. It made me smile. So, you have a sister that I share my name with. "Hi Loretta".I had a brother(deceased)17 yrs ago. He introduced me to Lady T. He came running in my house and said "Sis u hv 2 hear this" it was Wild & Peaceful. I was hooked. He was my heart. When he was in high school he wrote me a poem, called "Shine". Makes me cry when I read it. Teena Marie' song "Aladdin's Lamp" she says: You use to write me poetry and emerald city love songs" the prince and the princess,now I'd trade one day of wealth & fame, for just one model airplane, where is the love that you gave me, if I had Aladdin's lamp... His name is Marcus Radford Williams he is on my fb profile picture with me. Thank you to my new "friend" Randy. Bye for now. LWL
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Brother Randy, I just wanted to let you know your penchant for writing is absolutely enjoyable and outstanding cuz. This was a great read. How come you left T.U.M.S.?
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Brother Charles ..... I'm moved
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I love a good article and this one is great. You make many interesting points and I agree on several. I don’t disagree on others, but they require some thought.
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