Black - Paradise (A&M)

Considering this is meant to be a song all about paradise, Mr Colin Vearncombe doesn't sound to be having a very good time at all. Mostly he "woah oh woah oh's" in a rather unenthusiastic manner to a not terribly jolly "beat" that's very similar to "Wonderful Life" and "Sweetest Smile". Perhaps he was suffering from a nasty bout of bellyache when he recorded it. Or perhaps he's just a bit of a sad soul... (Sue Dando, Smash Hits, December 30, 1987)

As with all of Black's slower songs, the percussion track immediately grabs your attention. As long as he steers clear of James Hamilton disco territory, he can't really fail. (Lawrence Donegan, Record Mirror, January 9, 1988)

Great Lines: 'Life should never feel small', sings Colin. And he is correct.

Faith Brothers - A Stranger On Home Ground (Siren)

Another contestant on 'Great White Hope' and a fine example to all the others. Sure, they have their Sixties and early Costello influences but, despite a dreadful production [by Paul Hardiman], they've still managed to inject enough fire to kick it firmly into the Eighties. It should cause a modest ripple in the charts - and deservedly so. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, June 22, 1985)

Bucks Fizz - You And Your Heart So Blue (RCA)

I must say I always detested Bucks Fizz. Those medallion men! And those girls! Yucksville. Their records have always exemplified the worst traits of British pop kitsche. This is no exception. Now, it seems, they can't stand each others' guts either. What colour law suit do you want! (Max Bell, No 1, June 22, 1985)

Bucks Fizz have again proved that fact is always better than fiction, having read The Sun last week. Could the Dallas scriptwriters have made up a better tale of sex and high flying wheeling and dealing? Could The Godfather makers have made up a gorier tale of alleged 'family' treachery,and squalid break ups? This release is a spirited version of the sort of thing Smokie used to knock out in their sleep. It's not a patch on the B-side - "Now Those Days Are Gone" - a quality song and more than a little apt to boot. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, June 22, 1985)

Men At Work - Everything I Need (Epic)

I'm not proud. I like "Down Under" if only because it opened the door for a lot more interesting Aussie bands in Britain and America. Men At Work have changed since then and acquired a touch of the Dire Straits. The humour is gone. This is where Men At Work get their UB40s. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, June 22, 1985)