this'n'that!
COMRADES! The Central Committee has a new five-year plan for me....I am being reassigned to one of the eastern brigates....and so the call goes out for a new International Genre Director! Interested? Know someone who might be? Be in touch. Push your reviewing come Lotus time, and you just might parlay your brilliance into a weekend pass.....This week: DOWNBEAT THE RULER, the 3rd disc from the Studio 1 reissue bonanza, hits the airwaves....URSULA 1000 [currently heading up CMJ's BPM chart] beeps and buzzes to your heart, with enough int'l flava to merit Caravan attention as well as electronica do-gooders....HENDRIK MEURKENS fills that gap in your heart labeled "Harmonica-led Brazilian groove-lite".....And with any luck, there'll be a new PUTUMAYO TURKEY compilation....Onward!
Artist: v / a
Title: Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One
Label: Heartbeat
Genre: reggae
Grade: A
The third reissue of the Heartbeat label's trawl through Studio One's back catalog focuses exclusively on instrumentals. Downbeat the Ruler is titled after Coxsone Dodd's own sound system and contains examples of most instrumental subtypes. Interestingly, regardless of the proliferation of groups and artists credited, they're all aliases, and every track here is actually performed by Studio One's house band. Even those credited to solo artists merely showcased a particular session man, normally the one who composed the song. But don't feel cheated -- these musicians were some of the best, and were the powerhouse behind Dodd's success. It's only right that they should be glorified with their own album. (4 stars)
Reviewer: Jo-Anne Green, All Music Guide
Artist: Hendrik Meurkens
Title: Amazon River
Label: Blue Toucan
Genre: int’l / light jazz
Grade: A
Hendrik Meurkens grew up in Germany and attended Berklee College of Music in the United States, but his primary musical passion has long been Brazilian music. Already a virtuoso on harmonica (and the first serious rival to Toots Thielemans on the instrument), he is in terrific form throughout this session. Meurkens gathered a number of the top Brazilian players to join him, featuring the well-known vocalist and guitarist Doryi Cayimmi on a brisk, passionate take of "Amazon River" (02) and the equally warm "O Cantador" (07). Another popular Brazilian guitarist, Oscar Castro-Neves, guests on two of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions, the samba "Piano Na Manqueira" (11) and "Ela é Carioca" (05) while Cuban clarinetist Pacquito D'Rivera trades licks with the leader in the joyful choro "Lingua de Mosquito" (06). Meurkens also doubles on vibes on one track. This is delightful from start to finish. (4 stars)
Reviewer: Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Artist: Ursula 1000
Title: Here Comes Tomorrow
Label: ESL
Genre: electronica (w/ Caravan cuts)
Grade: A-
Ursula 1000’s third album continues Alex Gimeno’s exploration of vintage rock and disco sounds, Latin dance music, early electronica, psychedelic goofiness, and ethnic exotica. Every track teeters precariously on the brink of precious over-cuteness, but none of them actually falls over. The best thing about the album, though, is its incredible variety of sounds. You've got your T. Rex tribute [02], your Austin Powers-on-ecstasy go-go workout [01], your blues-mambo-bhangra mash-up [03], your token pseudo-mystical Indian track [11], your organ-based weirdo funk [07], your straight-up old-school electro-funk [04], and even a celebration of the 2 Tone ska revival [05]. (3 ½ stars)
Reviewer: Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
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