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Strong political message12 December 1995
Ain't Nuthin' But A She Thing
Through Polydor Reviewed by Sujatha Fernandes Ain't Nuthin' But A She Thing is an all-female compilation, with the title track by Salt-N-Pepa. As usual, Salt-N-Pepa are dynamic, straight to the point and sassy. They have produced a single that celebrates female power, complete with a video clip of gratifying images -- a waitress spilling coffee on a sexist customer, and a woman slapping a man who is trying to assault her. Yet this is not the Helen Garner version of how to fight sexism. Salt-N-Pepa are definitely aware of the power relations that exist in society and decimate the myth that women are now equal to men: "Gotta break my neck just to get some respect/ Go to work and get paid less than a man/ When I'm doin' the same damn thing that he can/ When I'm aggressive then I'm a bitch/ When I got attitude they call me a witch/ Treat me like a sex object." Unfortunately, the rest of the compilation gets lost somewhere between Annie Lennox's angst, Sinead O'Connor's monotone and Patti Smith's whining attempt at a sexy jazz nightclub feel. One exception is Andi Oliver's "Woman of the Ghetto" with its funky guitar, '70s flute and brass sounds and strong political message. Addressing those who control women's lives and bodies, sitting in their "ivory towers", Oliver asks: "How do you raise your head/ make your bread/ raise your kids in the ghetto?" All proceeds from the album are to be donated to the Shirley Divers Foundation which will benefit charities which help women with breast cancer and victims of domestic violence. The album does make the attempt to raise women's issues. Despite its commercialism and Dolly magazine audience pitch, Salt-N-Pepa's message "Fight for your rights, stand up and be heard" is what sticks with you. 
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