1) I don't include promos or unreleased white labels.
I have to buy my records at the shop just like regular
folks.
2) Old releases are just as likely to show up as new
ones. I can't afford to buy everything the week it
comes out!
3) Non-aj releases will get hyped as well, if that's
what I'm listening to.
So without further ado, here are some records currently
competing for airtime in my living room and/or car:
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Donald Byrd - UP WITH DONALD BYRD (Verve)
A classic soul-jazz album from the 60's, made all the
more enticing as a Verve 2-for-1 CD along with Grant
Green's HIS MAJESTY KING FUNK. But it's the Donald
Byrd tracks that really flip my wig. Includes
"Cantaloupe Island."
Squarepusher - FEED ME WEIRD THINGS (Rephlex)
The most important artist in drum 'n' bass clobbers the
competition with this debut album. Jazz meets jungle
in an experimental beat frenzy. It's like nothing
you've ever heard before. (Except previous
Squarepusher tracks, of course.)
Syd Straw - WAR AND PEACE (Capricorn)
This second album from singer/songwriter Straw is miles
ahead of her 1990 debut. She's always had a
captivating voice, but her writing has really bloomed
with these nakedly confessional songs. A great backing
band (The Skeletons) and uncluttered production help
contribute toward a mighty fine album. (Not acid jazz!)
Earthling - "Blood Music EP" (Cooltempo)
This was my first exposure to Earthling, and the hook
in this case was their downtempo cover version of Patti
Smith's "Because the Night." Aside from this
respectful and interesting cover, there are three
better-than-average rap tunes rounding out the EP.
Andrew Weatherall - CUT THE CRAP (Six6)
There's nothing more annoying than an expensive
compilation with one or two great/rare cuts and a lot
of filler, right? Well, how about an expensive 3-CD
box set with two discs of crappy house music and one
phenomenal trip hop DJ mix? You can throw the other
two discs out the window for all I care, but savor the
Andrew Weatherall one. This is the best DJ mix I've
heard since Coldcut's JOURNEYS BY DJ. The tracklisting
includes:
Is - Lucy & the Mango Man
Nangpa - Ijakk
11.59 - Freeman
Skylab - Indigo
The Kromozones - Forever
Jasiac Sunflowers - Magic Flute
Wagon Christ - Floot
Wiseguys - Nil by Mouth
Attica Blues - Blueprint (Hawtin Mix)
Aural Expansions - Freeform Attractor
(Mixmaster Morris Mix)
2 Lone Swordsmen - Big Man on Land
2 Lone Swordsmen - Smokebelch (for Ali)
I'm alarmed that a trend seems to be developing of
packaging the good mix CDs with the bad. The latest
triple-CD Cream package includes two more house
mixes plus one by Mo' Wax's James Lavelle. Anybody
want to trade me a tape of the Lavelle mix for a
tape of the Weatherall mix? ;-)
Dimitri from Paris - SACREBLEU (Yellow)
sound-bites, this fusion of lounge and trip-hop has a
certain...je ne sais quoi. But it's very entertaining.
Dis Bonjour a la Dame - S/T (East/West Europe)
I'd love to say the cover photo (of a female rump in
hot pants) is the best thing about this album...but
that would be sexist and totally untrue. Actually,
this is a funky, sweaty, sexy, soulful album of pure
dancefloor jazz with vocals in French and English.
Released in 1995, I never saw this anywhere at full
price, but recently picked it up at Tower Clearance for
$5.99. What a deal!
The Wiseguys - EXECUTIVE SUITE (Wall of Sound)
One of the best Wall of Sound releases in quite a
while, IMHO. Groovin' instrumental and vocal hip-hop
tracks, including their previous singles.
Ernest Ranglin - BELOW THE BASSLINE
(Island Jamaica Jazz)
One of the first releases from Island's new offshoot
label, this is a truly unique fusion of jazz and
reggae...and it smokes! Highly recommended.
V/A - TOUGHER THAN TOUGH: THE STORY OF JAMAICAN MUSIC
(Mango)
Another non-aj entry in the top ten, this is an
absolutely essential compilation of Jamaican music from
ska and rock steady to reggae and dancehall. Stellar
track selection and liner notes by Steve Barrow.
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Well that's all for now. Please send any comments or
feedback to mturner@netcom.com.
-- Mark Turner mturner@netcom.com