"Magic Carpet Ride" by Bardeux

Song#:  3425

Date:  02/27/1988

Debut:  93

Peak:  81

Weeks:  7

Genre:  Dance-Pop, Hi-NRG, Sythpop

Pop Bits:  This duo first consisted of Acacia (Stacy Smith) and Tairrie B. (Theresa Beth). The pair got hooked up with songwriter/producer Jon St. James, who had worked on Stacey Q's debut album. They recorded the track "Three Time Lover" and got it released on St. James's Synthicide label. The song got some attention and while it didn't make the Dance/Club chart, it did reach #10 on the Dance Sales chart. With that success, the duo was ready to pursue a full album, but before that could happen, Tairrie B. left the duo. She was then replaced by Jaz (Lisa Teaney) and the the pair along with St. James got their debut album, Bold As Love, recorded. This next single was released and it became another solid seller getting to #5 on the Dance Sales chart. It still was unable to crack the Dance/Club chart, however, it picked up some airplay at Pop and was able to make the lower reaches of the chart. It was an improved result, but the duo would break in a bigger way with their next single.

ReduxReview:  Thanks to St. James, this basically sounds like a Stacey Q track with its thin, low-budget 80s synthpop production. It was an average 80s pop tune that featured nondescript female vocals. The approach worked for Stacey Q a couple years earlier, but even by this point in time the track nearly sounded dated and amateurish when compared to records by groups like Exposé. Pop music had moved forward, but it seems St.. James and Bardeux were stuck in the early 80s.

ReduxRating:  3/10

Trivia:  After Tairrie B. left Bardeux, she pursued a solo career - as a rapper. Working with rapper Easy-E, Tairrie B. got signed to the MCA/Ruthless Records offshoot label Comptown and recorded her debut album Power of a Woman. It was released in 1990. A couple tracks made small impact on the Rap chart, but the LP failed to sell or chart. After attempting a follow-up, Tairrie B. then switched gears again and formed the metal band Manhole, which due to legal issues would change their name to Tura Satana. They would release a couple of albums in '95 and '96. Stints in two more rock bands would follow before Tairrie B. would return to rap. She would issue out rap albums in 2015 and 2020. Tairrie B.'s name would also be in the news for an alleged assault incident with rapper/producer/exec Dr. Dre. According to Tairrie B. when she recorded her debut rap album, it was common practice that labelmates would make a guest appearance on the LP's last track. She was informed that this would happen and that Ice Cube was writing lyrics for a track. Although pressured to do this, Tairrie B. refused and instead wrote her own diss track about the situation and the people involved titled "Ruthless Bitch." It would be the last track on her album. After its release, Tairrie B. was at a post-Grammy party and according to her, Dr. Dre, who was apparently pissed about the track and Tairrie B.'s lack of cooperation, went up to her and punched her in the eye and mouth. Instead of reporting the assault, Tairrie B. seemed to just take it in stride and moved on. Dr. Dre's history of violence against women would lead to at least one lawsuit and would dog him in later years. He has since expressed regret for his behavior.

_________________________________________________________________________________