Juicy Fruit Limited

Juicy Fruit Limited - MTUME CD

Juicy Fruit is a song written by James Mtume and released as the lead-off single from Mtumes third album, also titled Juicy Fruit. It features lead vocals by Tawatha Agee. The mid-tempo song is arguably Mtumes most well-known, proving enormously successful on RandB radio stations when first released.Additional Info: James Mtume's band Mtume hit its commercial and creative peak in 1983, when Juicy Fruit was released. The infectious, mildly risqu title song -- which contains the controversial lyrics "I'll be your lollipop/You can lick me everywhere" -- soared to number one on Billboard's R&B singles chart and ended up being sampled by quite a few hip-hoppers, including the late Notorious B.I.G. (who used the infectious gem on his 1994 hit "Juicy"). Some of the people who heard the "Juicy Fruit" single on the radio back in 1983 bought the single but not the album, which is a shame because the other tracks are also excellent. In fact, many of Mtume's hardcore fans agree that Juicy Fruit is the band's most essential album. This LP came at a time when funk was becoming increasingly technology-minded. Horn-driven funk bands were going out of style, and funksters were using a lot more keyboards and synthesizers. Juicy Fruit reflects that evolution; although not totally electronic, funk/urban pearls like "Hips" and "Ready for Your Love" are very keyboard-minded. Only one horn player is employed on this release: jazz saxophonist Gary Bartz, who did his share of R&B sessions in the late '70s and early '80s but eventually returned to being a full-time jazz improviser. Throughout Juicy Fruit, James Mtume takes a very hands-on approach -- in addition to producing the album and co-writing much of the material, he plays keyboards and provides some of the lead vocals (along with the expressive, big-voiced Tawatha Agee). Juicy Fruit isn't the only worthwhile album that James Mtume's band came out with in the '80s; as a rule, his '80s output was solid. But if you must limit yourself to one Mtume release, Juicy Fruit would be the best choice. ~ Alex Henderson

Specifics

Album: Juicy Fruit Limited
Artist: MTUME
Label: Epic
Genre: Funk / Soul
MPN: SICJ 314

Tracklist

1. Green Light
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
2. Juicy Fruit
Written-By – James Mtume
Written-By – James Mtume
3. Hips
Written-By – Dean Cannon, Philip Fields*
Written-By – Dean Cannon, Philip Fields*
4. Would You Like To (Fool Around)
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
5. Your Love's Too Good (To Spread Around)
Written-By – Leon "Ndugu" Chancler*, Norman Dozier, Reggie Andrews
Written-By – Leon "Ndugu" Chancler*, Norman Dozier, Reggie Andrews
6. Hip Dip Skippedabeat
Written-By – Darlene Davis, David Forman, James Mtume
Written-By – Darlene Davis, David Forman, James Mtume
7. Ready For Your Love
Written-By – Philip Fields*, Ronald Sirois
Written-By – Philip Fields*, Ronald Sirois
8. The After 6 Mix (Juicy Fruit Part II)
Written-By – James Mtume
Written-By – James Mtume
. Bonus Tracks
9. Juicy Fruit (Vocal)
Remix – James Mtume, Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks
Written-By – James Mtume
Remix – James Mtume, Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks
Written-By – James Mtume
10. Juicy Fruit ("Fruity" Instrumental Mix)
Remix – Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks, Tony Humphries
Written-By – James Mtume
Remix – Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks, Tony Humphries
Written-By – James Mtume
11. Would You Like (To Fool Around) (12" Mix)
Remix – James Mtume, Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
Remix – James Mtume, Reggie Thompson, Scott Folks
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
12. Let's Fool Around (Word) (Sensual Instrumental)
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas*
13. Green Light (Vocal Mix)
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
14. Green Light (Instrumental)
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
Written-By – Dean Cannon, James Mtume, Philip Fields*
15. Prime Time (12" Mix)
Written-By – James Mtume, Raymond Jackson (2)
Written-By – James Mtume, Raymond Jackson (2)