Vivid [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster] (CD - 1988)

Additional personnel: Mick Jagger, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Dennis Diamond (vocals); Bernard Fowler, Muriel Fowler, Wilfred Fowler (background vocals).

Engineers: Ed Stasium, Paul Hamingson, Ron St. Germain.

Living Colour: Vernon Reid (vocals, guitar); Muzz Skillings (vocals, bass); William Calhoun (vocals, drums, percussion); Corey Glover (vocals).

Additional personnel: Mick Jagger, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Dennis Diamond (vocals); Bernard Fowler, Muriel Fowler, Wilfred Fowler (background vocals).

Recorded at Skyline, Sound On Sound and Right Track Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Greg Tate.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: Vernon Reid (vocals, guitar); William Calhoun (vocals, drums, percussion); Corey Glover, Muzz Skillings (vocals); Daddy O (rap vocals); Mick Jagger (harmonica, background vocals); Muriel Fowler, Bernard Fowler (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Ed Stasium; Al Watts; Timothy Powell.

Liner Note Author: Greg Tate.

Recording information: A&M Recording, Los Angeles, CA (1987-1990); Cabaret Metro, Chicago, IL (1987-1990); Right Track Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); Skyline Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); Sound On Sound Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); The Ritz, New York, NY (1987-1990).

Amid the deluge of glam metal that ruled the charts and airwaves in the late-1980s, NYC's Living Colour issued its debut, 1988's VIVID. The album proved to be a much-needed breath of fresh air at the time, as the band was not just limited to hard rock--Living Colour's sound contained punk, funk, reggae, soul, and freeform jazz. And while most other rock bands at the time were obsessed with partying and fast cars, Living Colour added thought-provoking lyrics to the mix (especially on such selections as "Open Letter to a Landlord").

The album-opening "Cult of Personality" remains an '80s hard-rock classic, while such other cuts as the rocking "Middle Man" and "Desperate People," a remake of the Talking Heads' 'Memories Can't Wait," the downhearted "Broken Hearts," the reggae-tinged "Glamour Boys," and the instrumental "Funny Vibe" are all standouts. All the genre-jumping alternative-metal bands of the late-'90s owed a great deal to Living Colour and this classic debut.

In 1988, few heavy metal bands were comprised of all black members, and fewer had the talent or know-how to inject different musical forms into their hard rock sound (funk, punk, alternative, jazz, soul, rap) -- but N.Y.C.'s Living Colour proved to be an exception. Unlike nearly all of the era's metal bands, the group's music has held up over time, thanks to its originality and execution. Living Colour leader/guitarist Vernon Reid spent years honing his six-string chops, and was one of the most respected guitarists in New York's underground scene. He couldn't have done a better job selecting members for his new rock band -- singer Corey Glover, bassist Muzz Skillings, and drummer Will Calhoun -- as their now-classic debut, Vivid, proves. Though the album was released in mid-1988, it picked up steam slowly, exploding at the year's end with the hit single/MTV anthem "Cult of Personality," which merged an instantly recognizable Reid guitar riff and lyrics that explored the dark side of world leaders past and present (and remains LC's best-known song). The album was also incredibly consistent, as proven by the rocker "Middle Man" (which contains lyrics from a note penned by Glover, in which he pondered suicide); the funky, anti-racist "Funny Vibe"; the touching "Open Letter (To a Landlord)"; plus, the Caribbean rock of "Glamour Boys." Add to it an inspired reading of Talking Heads' "Memories Can't Wait," the Zeppelin-esque "Desperate People," and two complex love songs ("I Want to Know" and "Broken Hearts"), and you have one of the finest hard rock albums of the '80s -- and for that matter, all time. [The 2002 reissue appends five bonus tracks: "Funny Vibe (Funky Vibe Mix)," a cover of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?," a live version of "Middle Man," a remix of "What's Your Favorite Color?," and a live version of "Cult of Personality."] ~ Greg Prato minimize