"Flashes" by Tiggi Clay

Spotlight Alert!

Song#:  1802
Date:  02/25/1984
Debut:  90
Peak:  86
Weeks:  3
Genre:  New Wave, Synthpop

Video Link to "Flashes" by Tiggi Clay

Pop Bits:  Despite sounding like a person's name, Tiggi Clay was actually a trio headed up by singer/songwriter Fizzy Qwick (aka Debravon Lewis). She along with Billy Peaches and Romeo McCall got the attention of Motown Records and signed on with their new subsidiary label Morocco. They recorded their self-titled debut album, which featured this first single.    The song's new wave edge attracted some Pop listeners and the tune was able to reach the chart for a minor few weeks. Despite good reviews, the album disappeared quickly. The results still might have been good enough to warrant a second disc, but before that could happen Motown shut down Morocco and that was the end of Tiggi Clay.

ReduxReview:  Here is one that totally caught me off guard. A black new wave trio with a name that sounds like a person rather than a group (I can't confirm it, but apparently they copped the moniker from some bully that went by that name - which they have someone portray in the video). I called up the original video on YouTube (introduced by the trio with Fizzy looking awesome!) and it was so strange and so 80s. The song sounds like it might have been the result of a collaboration between Toni Basil and Missing Persons. It was all a bit odd, but in a good way. Had I heard this song back in the day, I would have immediately bought the record. Unfortunately, it just didn't get enough promotion and disappeared. Thanks to this blog project, I was lucky enough to discover the tune. I've already ordered a copy of the original vinyl LP, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else they had to offer. These are the songs that truly make this project fun, so I have to give the Spotlight to Tiggi Clay.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  After Tiggi Clay disbanded, Fizzy Qwick signed on to Motown as a solo artist. She recorded a self-titled album in 1986 for the label that included the single "Hangin' Out." That song would be a minor entry at R&B reaching #71. A second singled failed to chart and that ended Qwick's time at Motown.
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