In the first six years of Jheri Curl June, we’ve had occasion to cover two of what I like to call the “Three Stars” of Jheri Curl Music: Midnight Star and Starpoint. So, now that we’re on year seven, I think it’s past time that we gave Star #3, a.k.a. Atlantic Starr, their due.
I’ll admit, there’s a reason why it took us so long. Atlantic Starr is my least favorite of the “Three Stars” by some margin; their music, particularly during the peak of their late-’80s crossover success, tended to be softer and more ballad-heavy, verging on adult-contemporary, compared to their similarly-named peers. And yet, as any true Jheri curl connoisseur knows, there’s a time and a place for soft (and wet!). And “Love Me Down” (not to be confused with Ready for the World‘s previously-featured “Love You Down“), from the group’s 1982 album Brilliance, is the perfect companion for those moments when you just want to let your hair down–as much as a Jheri curl will allow, anyway–and unwind. The groove is smooth but still funky, with Sharon Bryant’s sultry vocals mellowing Wayne Lewis’ bass-synth and David Lewis’ rhythm guitar like ice in a glass of cognac. So, Atlantic Starr, welcome to the party; we’re sorry it took us so long to let you in, but it’s a whole lot more chill now that you’re here.
We’ll be back tomorrow–in the meantime, as always, check out the Spotify and YouTube playlists below!
: it’s an undeniable jam, pairing a vintage Jheri Curl synth line with a freestyle-influenced sequencer pattern and frontwoman Renée Diggs’ soulful lead vocals. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, then take a look at the boss jheri-curl-and-shades combo keyboardist/keytarist George Phillips is sporting in the photo above (far right). Finally, check out the music video below, and watch George’s brother Ernesto randomly mime an epileptic seizure at the beginning of his guitar solo at 3:39: