THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS: #90-81. Continues next week.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200 ALL-TIME MOST

ESSENTIAL DUETS

This countdown looks back on decades of duets, where 2 acts combine on a song.

To be eligible, the acts involved contribute close to equal roles as lead vocalists rather than featured or guest vocals. The collaborations must be by acts that do not usually record together as regular duos (eg. Hall & Oates, Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Wham!).

90

AS

GEORGE MICHAEL & MARY J. BLIGE

Stevie Wonder's great soul track "As" was covered by George Michael and Mary J. Blige. In 1998, the duet was included a Michael compilation album. Released as a single the following year, the cut peaked at #4 in Britain.

89

DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?

ETTA JAMES & SUGAR PIE DESANTO

Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto don't mince words when they deliver a collective punch to their man on the track "Do I Make Myself Clear". The 1965 gritty R&B duet is an ultimatum to their no-good man.

88

LEATHER AND LACE

STEVIE NICKS & DON HENLEY

The Fleetwood Mac songstress traded lyrics with Eagles drummer/ vocalist Don Henley on the country-tinged ballad "Leather And Lace". She wrote the song and it was included on her 1981 solo debut album entitled 'Bella Donna'. The single reached the US Top 10.

87

LET'S DO IT (LET'S FALL IN LOVE)

MARVIN GAYE & KIM WESTON

Cole Porter's American songbook classic "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" is given a soul interpretation as only Motown could deliver. The Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston duet was yet another gem that remained in the label's archives for decades. Finally, it was released for a Gaye box set in 1990.

86

SOME VELVET MORNING

NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD

The gorgeous and underrated "Some Velvet Morning" was written by Lee Hazlewood. He recorded some quality duets with Nancy Sinatra. Most had a country feel, but this was a real departure from their usual fare. In 1967, the single made the US Top 40.

85

WHAT KIND OF FOOL

BARBRA STREISAND & BARRY GIBB

Barbra Streisand recorded 2 duets with Barry Gibb that were featured on her 1980 album 'Guilty'. The title track and "What Kind Of Fool" were both lifted as singles. So integral was Barry Gibb's input on her album that he appears with her on its cover. "What Kind Of Fool" spent a month atop the US AC chart and peaked at #10 Pop for 3 weeks.

84

THEN CAME YOU

DIONNE WARWICK & THE SPINNERS

At the time of "Then Came You", Dionne Warwick had added an 'e' to her surname. She later reverted to her original spelling. Warwick collaborated on the single with R&B group The Spinners. Thom Bell produced the track which reached #1 on the American chart in 1974.

83

I'M YOUR ANGEL

CELINE DION & R. KELLY

In 1998, the adult contemporary and R&B genres came together on the big ballad "I'm Your Angel", a duet recorded by Celine Dion and R. Kelly. The song climbed to #1 in the USA. In Britain, the single peaked at #3.

82

EASY LOVER

PHILIP BAILEY & PHIL COLLINS

Philip Bailey released a solo album in 1984. The LP was produced by Phil Collins. Both had built a profile as members of groups: the former in Earth, Wind & Fire and the latter as part of Genesis. They co-wrote "Easy Lover" with Nathan East. Collins and Bailey recorded the track as a duet. The single was a worldwide smash hit. It topped the UK chart and peaked at #2 in America.

81

U GOT THE LOOK

PRINCE & SHEENA EASTON

The 1987 track "U Got The Look" was featured on Prince's 'Sign O' The Times' album. Despite being uncredited on the single, Sheena Easton shares lead vocal duties with Prince. She does, however, appear in its music video in a co-lead capacity. The single reached #2 on the American chart.