Artist: Cameo Album: Sexy Sweet Thing

Year: 2000
Duration: 0:0-1

A critical review of Cameo's Sexy Sweet Thing: A mesmerizing blend of funk and R&B

There's something about the fusion of funk and R&B that stirs up a heady concoction of emotions and nostalgia. It's this relentless blending that brought a unique identity to the 1980s music scene, encapsulating the angst and groove of the era. One artist that commandingly stood out was Cameo. Their discography, containing club-perfect, funkadelic albums, has produced chart-topping songs such as Candy and Word Up, all of which consolidate their reputation as one of the most influential bands of their time.

In this blog post, we explore their vibrant and eclectic album, Sexy Sweet Thing. We take a trip down memory lane and immerse ourselves in the iconic funk and R&B sound that Cameo became famous for. We analyze their musical prowess, identify the best songs, and critique the album as a whole.

Cameo formed in 1974, emergent from the Ohio funk scene. In the years that followed, they gained recognition, owing to their electrifying live shows, energetic performances, and groovy dance moves. Over the course of their musical journey, they have consistently produced upbeat albums that captured the essence of funk and R&B. Sexy Sweet Thing, released in 2000, is no exception.

Kicking off the album is Throw It Down. The track has a rhythmic quality, primarily driven by bass lines that are signature to the funk genre. It features Terry Ellis' vocals, which blend seamlessly with the funky instrumentation. The next track, Insatiable Woman, tackles the theme of desire. It has a slower pace than its predecessor, coupled with an infectious baseline that thoroughly captures the feeling of longing. Sexy Sweet Thing is an undeniable highlight of the album and the source of its title. The saxophone-laden melody, with its sultry instrumental section, is a romantic and sensual ode to intimacy.

Raw But Tasty features finger-snapping beats, backed up by clever wordplay that highlights Cameo's tongue-in-cheek sentiments. The track showcases the band's precision and ability to create smooth, harmonious fusion. Ready is a powerful, slow-burning closing track, with its smooth, polished vocals showcasing the emotional aspect of the record. It's an excellent example of Cameo's versatility, transitioning from disco to R&B smoothly.

Cameo's Sexy Sweet Thing album showcases a band at the peak of their form, undeniably delivering a danceable collection of songs that perfectly blends funk and R&B. Despite being released at the turn of the millennium, the album remains true to the band's roots and dazzles with its infectious upbeat energy and soulful ballads. The album is sonically diverse and features an incredible collective that crafts the magic showcased throughout. It's without a doubt that the album solidified Cameo's reputation as trailblazers and a defining force within the funk music genre. If you're looking for an album that you can party or chill to, Sexy Sweet Thing is undoubtedly worth a listen.