Owen Paul - One World (Epic)

1986's Nik Kershaw, Owen Paul's recent success continues to elude me... Is it due to the boyishly cute looks (he reminds me of a cross between Pat and Damon Grant from Brookside!), the way he casually cocks his guitar to one side when he dances or the blatantly twee lyrics he enthusiastically sings? I'm none the wiser. This single merely echoes the previous two, in that it's equally irritatingly catchy and looks destined to receive a mega bout of radio airplay, and with it possible chart success. However, it really is high time the real Nik Kershaw stepped forward. (Anna Martin, No 1, November 1, 1986)

The Big Supreme - Please Yourself (Polydor)

This is the best I've heard. And I'm not saying that because I know Barry Flynn... I really like this. I thought the last single was a definite cert, but "The Smile And The Kiss" was the best. Actually, I've got some demos of his somewhere. If this is a hit I'll have to dig them out and flog them! (Owen Paul, No 1, March 28, 1987)

A supremely bold record. It begins with some ominous piano, which sounds like someone's just DIED. Then, BAM You're hit with a punch drunk Martin Fry going for a Motown-y form of on-beat dance insistence. With lots of chunky boss. and some 'parting the Red Sea' choral bits, it's all very body-building and the best Big Supreme single so for. Which only just excuses the vile stripey blazers worn by Barry and the girls on the sleeve. (Roger Morton, Record Mirror, March 7, 1987)

Hey! Meet The Big Supreme, who - PRESTO! - are all set to be pop stars! "Please Yourself" is a monstrous sound, a remarkable mixture of Pete Burns, Julian Cope and Pete Wylie. They also look rather fetching and are obviously destined for much greater things. Gulp. (Barry McIlheney, Smash Hits, March 11, 1987)

Madonna - La Isla Bonita (Sire)

I've heard this a million times already. I like her and her music's always entertaining. I don't think she's made a bad record, but sometimes you have to be inspired by music and not just entertained. I quite like her records but if there were two record shops across the road and one of them was playing this, I'd go in the other one! I like it but it's not her best. (Owen Paul, No 1, March 28, 1987)

Presumably the last (but not least) single from the True Blue album, "La Isla Bonita" is as close to Abba as Madonna can get without learning a second language. Swaying palms and balmy harmonies. But would she share her desert island idyll with Oliver Reed and a jug of orange? (Paul Simper, No 1, March 7, 1987)

And another one from the multi-platinum True Blue LP. But it's not exactly special. It's got all the Madonna trademarks - a catchy disco synth-beat and the luscious pouting vocals - but it's not cheeky enough. It's not even suggestive. Madonna dreaming of being seduced on a tropical island, by Spanish lullabies!!?? It just isn't up to the gal's usual standard. (Jane Wilkes, Record Mirror, March 21, 1987)

Peter Gabriel - Big Time (Virgin)

More fun and games from the nicest man of all at the BPI awards. He still sings a bit like Phil Collins (or is it the other way around?) and though this is not quite as immediately striking as "Sledgehammer", it's just as funky, and proves yet again that there is life after Jonathan King. (Barry McIlheney, Smash Hits, March 11, 1987)

Hasn't this been out for ages? I just don't think that serious music listeners are going to be fooled by this. "Red Rain" was much better. This goes on forever and sounds very smarty-pants - lots of musicians and things happening in the background, trying to make it sound interesting. It should never have been released as a single. (Owen Paul, No 1, March 28, 1987)

Owen Paul - Pleased To Meet You (CBS)

Owen is the kind of bloke it's impossible to dislike: he's inoffensive but not bland. In fact his records are quite a tonic. This one is a re-release from the times when Owen's claim to fame was being a mate of Charlie Nicholas ('Flamboyant' Arsenal footballer). It's almost as catchy as "Favourite Waste Of Time" and even if you don't like it you'll be humming along in no time. Can't help thinking though that his breezy take life as it comes kind of songs are only suited to the summertime. What's going to happen in winter? Perhaps Owen will have to hibernate... (Ro Newton, Smash Hits, August 27, 1986)