Bruce Willis - Under The Boardwalk (Motown)

Bruce Willis, oh yes, I loved "Respect Yourself", I'm a big fan! This is a really nice treatment, although as a singer I've already found a couple of things that grind, but it's still a lovely, sweaty, vocal sound. The B-side's an instrumental of "Respect Yourself", I'd be interested in that alright! I could see myself buying this, and I'd put it on in the evening and drink wine. I love the real strings, and it's surprisingly good for an actor. (Johnny Logan, No 1, May 30, 1987)

Rockwell - He's A Cobra (Motown)

Rockwell has the sort of moustache Prince would die for. But "He's A Cobra" is the sort of song Prince wouldn't even give to Chick Huntsberry. Once upon a time someone was watching Rockwell. Now he's the victim of a snake-like charmer who's after his girl. Sad old world, ain't it? (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, March 9, 1985)

Lionel Richie - Hello (Motown)

Lionel, weak with emotion, gives a right old tug to the heartstrings on this classic weepie tale of unrequited love. Your Mum's bound to make you turn it up when Top Of The Pops is on. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, March 15, 1984)

Apart from sounding like a piece of incidental film music, this also sounds like a shrewd bit of formula writing with its eye on a number one, It's a shameless product of calculated timing and market-research, banking on the fact that the whole world loves a love song. The Motown ballads are renowned for their sex and soul. 'Hello' is just soppy mush from the Dean Friedman school of cheap sentiment. (Maureen Rice, No 1, March 3, 1984)

Rick James - Hard To Get (Motown)

Mr James is a funk person who dresses like a Heavy Metalleer. This thumps along fairly monotonously while Ricky decides to pursue a member of the opposite sex. Whoever the young lady unfortunate enough to be the object of his infections is, I for one hope she gets away. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, September 16, 1982)

If you're proud to be British you'll forget this so-called "star" who means as much here as a soggy chip...and 'Hard To Get' has as much impact. Weak voice, weak song and pathetic image, leave him to the Yanks. (Simon Hills, Record Mirror, September 18, 1982)

The Commodores - Janet (Motown)

Releasing "Animal Instinct" as the follow up to "Nightshift" was an utter aberration. "Janet" always was the likely lass from the album, a fine mid-pacer co-written by the stupendous Bobby Caldwell. (Paul Sexton, Record Mirror, August 24, 1985)