“Chinese Wall” by Philip Bailey has all the characteristics of an album I would normally detest. It was made in the mid-1980s and has a straightforward pop sound. It also is produced by Phil Collins, who I’ve never been too fond of, and features his voice several times. So what drew me to listen to this album? It certainly wasn’t it’s cover or title, neither of which make the album seem too promising. It was, in fact, the name Philip Bailey that made me give the album a listen. Though I had never heard his solo work, I was, and still am, an avid fan of Earth, Wind & Fire whom Philip Bailey is a founding member of. I will say that Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the few bands that an association to would make me listen to an ’80s pop album, but I’m thankful that I did because in the process I experienced one of the best albums of the genre/decade.

It doesn’t take long for all of the traits of stereotypical ’80s music to be used in “Chinese Wall.” On the album’s first track “Photogenic Memory” Phil B. and Phil C. (Bailey/Collins) make use of those noisy electronic drums which are somewhat of a trademark for Phil Collins, vocoder, synthesizers and a catchy chorus. In most cases, this is enough to make me turn off the album, but there’s something captivating about “Chinese Wall” starting with the opening song that sets it apart from similar music and that doesn’t even disappoint those expecting to for something sounding like EWF even considering Bailey’s departure from the style made the band so popular.

The most memorable song in a line of pop anthems found on “Chinese Wall” is the chart topping Collins/Bailey duet “Easy Lover.” The song’s instrumental is largely guitar driven and showcases what Phil Collins arguably did better than singing, drumming. The album’s best song, however, is a sharp contrast to the energetic, electronic tunes. “Children of the Ghetto” provides diversity to the album as a down-tempo R&B song where the synthesizers and electronic drums are nowhere to be found in the background of Philip Bailey’s falsetto voice. Over an electronic piano and bass grove on “Children of the Ghetto” Bailey sings the albums most memorable and meaningful lyrics, a very classy way to close out the great album.

by Phil