Following hot on the heels of our well-received reissue of his first album, Rim
Arrives, we now present the two other key records that have made this a cult
figure for lovers of both African music and ‘disco’ in its widest sense. Too Tough,
a superb three track EP from 1982, on Sum-Sum Records, was credited to Rim
and Kasa, whilst he issued the cracking 12” I’m Not Going To Let You Go as
Rim And The Believers for Harmony Records the following year.

Too Tough kicks off with Shine The Ladies, an epic Afrodisco jam in call and
response format, with the female lead vocals (Ms. Anita Berry) prompting a
series of replies from the backing vocalists, setting the scene for a series of
exciting solos set against a backdrop of
punchy horns and swirling synths; tenor sax, guitar, drums (introduced with
chants of ‘Play me some drums!’) and vibes all take a turn before the track fades
out, clocking in just short of nine minutes. Next up is Love Me For Real,
reminiscent of August Darnell with its girlie vocals and Latin flavour, ending with
a mad swirl of synths and Rim’s own vocals. And lastly, I’m A Songwriter is
cosmic Afro-reggae, bringing to mind Roy Ayers in his Fela phase, given a mad
punk-funk twist … this one has to be heard to be believed!

The mood changes with I’m Not Going To Let You Go, which eschews the female
chorus for an altogether mellower, instrumental ride, veering from out-there
cosmic synth vibes to loungey jazz piano. It’s original flip, Peace of Mind, raw
Afro-boogie track with a male vocal, is also included.