Reviews and more
Jim Westrich (westrich@uic.edu)
Fri, 22 Sep 1995 16:55:51 -0500 (CDT)
Earthlings,
I have not posted anything in quite a while but I'll try to make more
reviews in the future. As always I do have a slightly idiosyncratic
taste and on principal do not read the music press (I apologize to
those involved in the music press who make excellent contributions to
this list but you can survive without me).
I'd like to second Bambi's notion of dedicating the sampler to Greg B.
He deserves it. I do not have an approriate title for the sampler but
if my $.02 are worth anything I'd like to minimize the reference to
computers generally unless we are all going to make music with
computers.
Most of what I have to discuss in terms of review has been adequately
mentioned so I like to speak up for two releases not mentioned
recently.
Skunkhour -- [Acid Jazz, UK]. I liked this release a lot more than I
thought I would. Musically fans of Galliano and related rare grooves
would feel at home (actually some of their musical tendencies like
quickstarting songs and quick breaks reminded me of Fishbone but this
could be misleading so I won't add it). But I think lyrically this is
a lot smarter and more substantive than Galliano. Galliano have a nice
peaceful vibe which is enjoyable but less filling. The vinyl release
does not have the better mixes so I would recommend CD unless compelled
by professional or ethical standards to choose vinyl.
Caroline Lavelle, *Spirit* -- [N-Gram, UK]. This is not AJ so you are
know free to delete this message (but she did sing with Massive Attack
so it is not unrelated). I love this record. Yes, it starts off
Enya-ish and lapses back as well but I think this fits into a lot the
music discussed in this list. Despite its ethereal feel at times there
is a definite downbeat trip hop feel thanks to William Orbit. There
plenty of excellent strings, nice electonic percussion, excellent
vocals, often good (occasioanally off) lyrics and the songs are all
nicely arranged. The album is paced real well (it definitely slows way
down at the end). "Moorlough Shore" is great "trip Celtic". "Case of
You" is a somewhat poppy but great cover of Joni Mitchell's suggestive
song (I think the arrangement here takes adds some innocence but keeps
a lot of depth). There are some other great things here as well.
My $0.04 worth on other releases.
The Chemical Brothers is growing on me (I like "Leave Home" well enough
but "Alive:Alone" is quite catchy as well--some of the instrumentals
still do not work with me however).
Peace,
J Wes // westrich@uic.edu
"Powerful music is easy to sing" -- Pacific Gas and Light