"Another Lover" by Giant Steps

Song#:  3623

Date:  08/20/1988

Debut:  89

Peak:  13

Weeks:  22

Genre:  Sophisti-Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul

Pop Bits:  This English duo consisted of Colin Campsie and George McFarlane. The pair had actually met in California in 1978 and decided to work together once they returned to England. They formed the band Grand Hotel and got signed to CBS Records in the UK. They released the album Do Not Disturb in 1979, but it didn't get anywhere. The pair then went out as a duo called The Quick and signed with Epic. They would release three albums for the label between '81 and '84, but the only thing that came from them were two Top 20 hits in Australia and three US Dance chart entries including the 1981 #1 "Zulu" (#60 R&B). A fourth LP for A&M tanked. Still looking for bigger success, the duo maintained their relationship with A&M, returned to California, changed up their sound, and began recording as Giant Steps. Working with producer Gardner Cole, they completed the LP The Book of Pride. This first single was released and it ended up doing quite well making it to #10 Dance and #25 AC while getting close to the Pop Top 10. It was a modest hit that sold well, but it didn't do much for sales of the album, which stopped at a very minor 184.

ReduxReview:  Here is one that I completely forgot about even though I own the single! This was another imported British group with a soulful pop sound that wasn't all that different from others like Go West or Breathe. Their sound was in fashion at the time and this sweet sounding single was just right for the US Pop chart. I thought it might scratch the Top 10, but it peaked just short of it. The tune was catchy and groovy enough for me to go out and buy the single. While I did remember the song, it was just one that I hadn't thought about or even seen/heard anywhere in decades, which makes it sort of a lost little gem.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  During their time recording as The Quick, Campsie and McFarlane decided they also wanted to write and produce for other artists. They ended up forming an all-female vocal group that would front their tracks. The subsequent trio would be called Girls Can't Help It and their first single in 1982 was titled "Baby Doll." It didn't get anywhere at home in the UK, but it did become a #7 Dance hit in the US. With that success, a second single and an EP followed. Unfortunately, neither would get anywhere and the trio went their own ways.

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