Sexual Fantasy #35 (04 1986)

Chicago's early-'80s return from the scrapheap did more than bring the group its biggest chart successes: it finally shattered the carefully maintained "faceless" image that had prevented any member from becoming an individual star. In the dawning age of video, the band needed a focal point, and bassist Peter Cetera – already the voice behind Chicago's soft rock smashes like "If You Leave Me Now," which had made significant inroads with the MOR audience – was the logical choice. So it wasn't a huge surprise that, following Chicago XVII, Cetera decided to use his new celebrity to strike out on his own.

After recording two albums in Los Angeles and spending at least two years taking his music to every corner in the world, finally, in 1986, Djavan recorded an album in Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by the swing of his Sururu de Capote band. And, nothing better than be back to samba. The many aspects of “Meu Lado” had to include Djavan’s ancestral connection to Africa, something that he discovered through music. As a contribution to the international struggle against apartheid, which in 1986 still officially segregated wealthy whites from poor oppressed blacks in South Africa, Djavan recorded “Hino da Juventude Negra da África do Sul”, accompanied by a vocal group from that country.

Dancing Fantasy partners Curtis McLaw and Chris Williams had previously worked together in the Blue Knights; this particular project was a smooth-jazz variation on their fascination with German synth experimentalists like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Dancing Fantasy started their career at German electronic label IC Digit in 1990. "Worldwide" was inspired by the flow of music around the globe, picking up individual sound-samples (specific to a particular country) on the way. The music is pure Dancing Fantasy with laid back grooves, immersed in rich floating sounds with touches of jazz.