GEORGIO - GEORGIO

Most of you probably have no idea who Georgio is and quite frankly, if I hadn't stumbled across him while listening to a college radio station, I'd never have known him either.  It's a commonly held opinion that Georgio is a Prince clone.  I guy who loved Prince so much he wanted to be him.  And you can see the proof in almost every aspect of his short career.  He even uses the same font type on this album that Prince used for "Lovesexy".  

Georgio is a multi-instrumentalist with very little serious training.  But what he lacks in education, he more than makes up for in imagination and talent.

During this time period, Prince's Minneapolis sound was driving the Pop and R&B charts.  If he wasn't hitting with a song, other associates were.  Especially Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam who created their own stylized brand of Minneapolis funk.  With the market spinning their way, it was natural for record companies to try and capitalize on the sound.  Any former associates were offered contracts.  Any group that even remotely copied the Prince look or Minneapolis sound was signed and packaged.  And I believe it's under these circumstances, Motown decided to take a chance on Georgio.

Here's where Georgio failed...  He came off as too much a Prince clone.  From copying the way he wrote his lyrics and song titles; (writing 2 instead of to, or u instead of you), to subject matter, fashion sense and overall appearance.  It was too easy to write him off and not take him seriously.

And that's why most people missed out on an artist with a huge amount of potential.  Unlike many Minneapolis sounding groups, Georgio delivered the goods.  In fact, sometimes I felt like he was releasing the music Prince should've been doing.  Although that would've been impossible as Prince's musical passion drives him in so many directions. 

Georgio was able to craft solid songs, and assemble them together in a cohesive package.  You can listen to the record from start to finish and enjoy the ride without a moments pause.  The arrangements, production value...  Everything is here.  The songs; although not lyrically challenging, are interesting and utilize his ability to create smart hooks seamlessly.  Another high point in the music is the use of the drum machine.  He uses it in much the same way bands coming up in the Minneapolis sound would, but he did some original beats that are on par if not equal to some of Prince's best.  In recent years, Prince has returned to using the Linn drum machine sounds, but his new beats lack the interesting hooks his older material possessed.  Georgio was able to tap into that same groove.

I guess the sad thing about Georgio is that his music didn't hold up well over time.  I blame that partially on his reliance on electronic keyboards and drum machines.  Without more enduring instrument sounds, the music becomes dated after awhile.  Sadly, this album is no exception.  But if you're a fan of the Minneapolis sound from the 80's, this is a record you need to track down, buy and listen to over and over cause it's got the beat!

I'm not going to break the disc down like I normally would because I like the entire disc.  Even songs like 'Sweeter Than Candy' that start out weak pack a punch at the end.  Somehow, he figures out how to give it a push and it ends up sounding unique and exciting.

I can't believe I let this disc sit on the shelf for so many years.  It's one more people need to discover.  My final words:  80'S FUNK AT ITS FINEST!!!

GEORGIO - GEORGIO
01. I Want 2 Dance
02. Romantic Love
03. Car Freak
04. Sweeter Than Candy
05. Love And Happiness
06. I Don't Want 2 Be Alone
07. In Love With U
08. Pok-A-Dot
09. My Name Is Georgio
10. L.A.