reggae (2), mainstream (2), electronica (1)
hi all....here are a few more goodies that i'll try to get in today....yee gods this means i might actually be at the monthly meeting....nevertheless we press on.....the biggest news by far are the two reggae discs, already highlighted on reggae children....THE BEST OF STUDIO ONE & FULL UP: MORE HITS FROM STUDIO ONE are both re-issue gems.....Knock on wood, Mark R is going to get the instrumental set in this week as well, completing the trinity....errr, trilogy....otherwise, old friends RIC OCASEK and BRIAN SETZER are good enough not to embarrass we programmers of a certain age that might be interested in such things....and IDIOT PILOT do a convincing dancefloor mope rope-a-dope.....enjoy!Artist: v / a
Title: The Best of Studio One (re-issue)
Label: Heartbeat
Genre: reggae
Grade: A+
Clement "Coxsone" Dodd ran Studio One, one of the best and most influential Jamaican recording studios in the 1960s and 1970s. From its production booth he essentially presided over the transition from rock steady to reggae, and artists as famous as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Dennis Brown recorded some of their earliest work under his supervision. This excellent collection of singles makes a solid case for Dodd's primacy among reggae producers of the period: "Melody Life" (14) by Marcia Griffiths and "Party Time" (12) by the Heptones remain two of the reggae's most loved standards; other highlights on this album include Larry Marshall's immortal "Throw Me Corn" (13), "Row Fisherman Row" (18) by the Wailing Souls (presented here in an extended version), and The Termites' slightly eerie take on the aching "My Last Love" (16). ( 5 stars )
Reviewer: Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Artist: v / a
Title: Full Up: More Hits from Studio One (re-issue)
Label: Heartbeat
Genre: reggae
Grade: A
This is the second volume of classic cuts from Coxsone Dodd's legendary Studio One label. The majority of the tracks date from the rocksteady era well into the roots age, although a couple bookend these periods, and the set bounces across the years and genres. Skanking nimbly between established legends and a number of now mostly forgotten stars, hits, and rarities, every inclusion is a delight. The original version of Willie Williams' "Armagideon Time" [08] (which the Clash later made their own), the debut single from Culture (10), and the Sound Dimension's instrumental title track [09] (versioned by the Mighty Diamonds and then covered by Musical Youth for their U.K. hit "Pass the Dutchie") are all of particular note. ( 4 ½ stars )
Reviewer: Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
Artist: Ric Ocasek
Title: Nexterday
Label: Sanctuary
Genre: mainstream rock
Grade: A- / B+
Ocasek plays nearly every instrument himself and maintains an appealingly relaxed vibe for the entirety of this 11-track album. While he doesn't necessarily stretch himself here, he doesn't sound as if he's resting on his laurels, either. The songs are lean and well constructed, the production is uncluttered yet with enough subtle details to keep things from sounding samey. There's no denying that Nexterday is deliberately made on a small scale: not only is it essentially homemade, but the songs are minimalist pop -- they're catchy, but the clean lines and quiet nature of the production requires active participation from the listener. At this point, some 20 years after the peak of the Cars' popularity, Ocasek's audience is small and faithful, willing to take the effort to get to know a new record, and once they spend some time with Nexterday, they'll find this is another charming, ingratiating, low-key record from an artist whose solo career has pretty much been devoted to charming, ingratiating, low-key records. (3 ½ stars)
Reviewer: Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Artist: Brian Setzer
Title: Rockabilly Riot! A Tribute to Sun Records
Label: Surfdog
Genre: mainstream rock
Grade; A
The concept is stated in the title and the execution is about what you'd expect from one of the most popular rockabilly revivalists in contemporary music. It's not much of a stretch for Stray Cat Brian Setzer to take a break from writing his own rockabilly tunes that often sound like classic Sun material anyway, but by narrowing his focus roughly from 1954 to early 1957 and sticking with music produced by the king of country music record labels, he scores credibility points. These versions are refreshingly stripped down, with standup bass, skeletal drums, acoustic piano, and occasional sax providing all the instrumental excitement. Even Setzer's fiery guitar solos are lean, mean, and never dominate the songs. He's in terrific form throughout; clearly his heart is in it and it sounds like he's having a blast. (4 stars)
Reviewer: Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
Artist: Idiot Pilot
Title: Remixes from Strange We Should Meet Here
Label: Reprise
Genre: electronica
Grade: A-
Not quite clear what makes Idiot Pilot mope about, but vocal remix versions of “To Buy A Gun” (01) and “Moerae” (03) are both convincing. Imagine if early Cure was into electronica, and you’re not far off. If you’re looking for an instrumental track, I’d go back to “Moerae” (06) once again—moody in an Obital sort of way.
Reviewer: bjorn ingvoldstad
posted by Anonymous @ 9:13:00 AM
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