Paradise (named
Big Fun in the U.S.) is the debut album by
Detroit-based
house-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
house-music 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. Lead 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 U.S. The original U.S. 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 U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. A remix album featuring songs from Paradise was released in the UK later in 1989.
