Blue Pearl - Blue Pearl (1990)

Chances are that you have heard Blue Pearl's brilliant debut single "Naked In The Rain", as it was a top ten dance hit on Billboard's dance chart and a top ten pop hit in the UK and Australia. It's gurgling techno-house sound combined with Durga McBroom's deep and soulful vocals was one of the highlights of dance music in the early 1990s. McBroom was an American singer whose biggest success was as a back-up singer for Pink Floyd, both on their later albums and on tour. She hooked up with famed Brit producer Youth (aka Martin Glover) who, up until then, had been part of Stock-Aitken-Waterman pop group Brilliant and had produced many artists, the most successful being Yazz. They originally released "Naked In The Rain" as Rubin Red, but soon changed their name to the more pleasing Blue Pearl. The success of the track led to a self-titled album, known as Naked in the UK, on Big Life (also Yazz' label). Together they created a unique sound which incorporated the techno elements popular at the time, but was also infused with soul. Most of the tracks are mid-tempo and also utilize hip hop elements throughout, but there are also deep house moments, such as "Naked In The Rain" and their remake of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill". Unfortunately the follow-up singles "Little Brother" and "Alive", and the album itself, failed on the charts, probably because they were much more downtempo than their exciting first single. All was not lost, however, as a brand new track, "(Can You) Feel The Passion" (which was basically a vocal version of the Bizarre Inc. techno rave hit "Playing With Knives") brought them to the top of the Billboard dance charts a year later. Only one more less successful single, "Mother Dawn", was released by the duo, however, and a second album never came. Other than that, McBroom used the name while doing lead vocals on track by Jungle High in 1993, and a successful remix of "Naked In The Rain" was released in 1998, and that was it. Youth would go on to great success working with acts like The Orb, Bananarama, Billy Idol, Killing Joke and Client, while McBroom did some acting and continued to tour and record with Pink Floyd. The two briefly reformed as Blue Lotus in the late 1990s/early 2000s for a couple tracks, so perhaps we haven't seen the end of this union quite yet...

UPDATE: Durga McBroom herself just wrote and schooled me on Blue Pearl's history! Sorry I got some of it wrong, Durga, but when I posted this there was much less info available on the internet than there is now. I'm thrilled that you visited and took the time to correct this entry! Can't wait for more new music, especially your work with another Isle postee, Annabella! (And FYI, I got the Rubin Red reference from an entry on Discogs. ;) Here is Durga's message:

"This is Durga McBroom. While I appreciate the kudos, you have gotten a lot of this wrong. Allow me to make some clarifications . . .

1. Youth was originally known for being the bass player for Killing Joke, an influential punk band. Shortly thereafter he had a stint with Brilliant. This part is correct.

Where you got the idea we released "Naked In The Rain" initially as Rubin Red is baffling to me. I came up with the name Blue Pearl from my spiritual beliefs, and Youth agreed. I bought the rights to the name, which is why I can still use it. WAU Mr. Modo di put it out first, and then Big Life Records bought it.

The second album WAS recorded, and "Can You Feel The Passion" was intended to be the kick-off single. Due to artistic differences and budget restraints, the CD was never released. I asked for and was granted a release from my contract from Big Life.

Since then, I have done one film I think (Phoenix Point - small independent film), and I was the one who worked with Billy Idol on "Cyberpunk", including a duet of "Mother Dawn". I have since recorded new Blue Pearl tracks and expect to slam you with some blinding stuff this year (2011). Watch for a duet with me and Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow), coming out SOON."

(For the maxi-single of their non-album track "(Can You) Feel The Passion", please visit my sister blog HERE.)

Video for Naked In The Rain

Video for Alive

Video for Little Brother

Download Blue Pearl

1		Naked In The Rain
2		Down To You
3		Chemical Thing
4		I Never Knew
5		Running Up That Hill
6		Little Brother
7		Alive
8		Rollover
9		Without Love
10		Over You
11		Chemical Thing (Ambient Mix)
12		Rollover (Acapella)