Paradise (named Big Fun in the US) is the debut album by
Detroit-based
electronic music duo
Inner City, released in 1989. The album was a great success in the UK and in US clubs, and was one of the first
techno albums to cross over to the mainstream charts, particularly in Europe. Group member
Kevin Saunderson (along with
Juan Atkins, who produced one track) is renowned as one of the originators the
Detroit techno sound. The vocals on Paradise were performed by the group's other member,
Paris Grey.
The album was retitled Big Fun for its US release, and the
ballad "Power of Passion" was replaced with "
Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin'" when that song became popular in the US. The original US pressing, however, contains the former.
A top-three success in the UK, Paradise spun off four top-twenty singles (three of which hit the UK top ten). The first four singles released from the album topped the US
Hot Dance Club Play chart. A
remix album featuring songs from Paradise was released in the UK later in 1989.
Track listing
All songs produced by Saunderson, except for “And I Do,” produced by Atkins.
Paradise/Big Fun
"Inner City Theme" (K. Saunderson) — 2:50
"Paradise" (K. Saunderson, A. Saunderson, P. Grey) — 4:05