(Debuted May 28, 1988, Peaked #4, 21 Weeks on the Chart)
One of 1988's best new artists was Terence Trent D'Arby. Born in New York but raised in Orlando, he was sent to West Germany while serving in the U.S.Army. While there, he began his musical career, staying after his discharge. By 1986, he moved to London, where he signed a record deal.
He wrote most of the material and played several instruments on his solo debut, Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby, and saw two songs reach the Top 10 in the U.S. The second of those hits was "Sign Your Name," a slow, deliberate burner. However, D'Arby's claims that the album was as important as Sgt. Pepper rubbed critics the wrong way, and his later LPs -- while definitely pushing limits -- were largely ignored.
D'arby changed his name to Sananda Maitreya in 1995 and has been releasing music under that name ever since. He currently lives in Milan, Italy.
Terence's first album was brilliant, not a weak track in the bunch. I also liked his "Symphony Or Damn" album, but I don't understand what happened to his career after that.
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