Chinese Wall
Philip Bailey · 1984
50 min · 10 tracks · blues
A lush blend of R&B and pop, featuring soaring vocals layered over vibrant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Easy Lover — The song pairs Bailey's powerful tenor with Collins' punchy production, creating an unforgettable hook that helped define the sound of the mid-80s.
-
→
Walking on the Chinese Wall — This title track highlights Bailey's vocal range and emotional depth, encapsulating the album's themes of love and introspection.
-
→
Children of the Ghetto — A poignant cover that addresses social issues through its lyrical content, showcasing Bailey's commitment to meaningful storytelling in music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has moments that feel less cohesive.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features layered vocal harmonies and a prominent horn section, setting a lush tone.
- The final three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with uplifting vibes
- soulful reflections on love
- vibrant grooves for celebration
- melodic moments for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek aggressive, fast-paced energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 1984, Chinese Wall was Philip Bailey's first solo album following his success with Earth, Wind & Fire. At this point in his career, he was exploring a more personal sound outside of the band's collaborative style, using this album to establish his individuality as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Earth, Wind & Fire· Marvin Gaye· Al Green
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Photogenic Memory 5:26
- 2 I Go Crazy 4:49
- 3 Walking on the Chinese Wall 5:08
- 4 For Every Heart That's Been Broken 4:16
- 5 Go 4:30
- 6 Easy Lover 5:05
- 7 Show You the Way to Love 4:43
- 8 Time Is a Woman 4:32
- 9 Woman 5:05
- 10 Children of the Ghetto 6:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.