1) Adriana Evans - self titled debut
I think I've covered this one already.
2) D*Note - Coming Down (soundtrack)
I haven't seen any mention of this, or any publicity, but D*Note have a new
mini-LP out - the soundtrack to a film directed by Mr D*Note Matt Winn
hisself. All instrumental, mostly drum & bass influenced and very good too.
The d&b side is much more developed when compared to "Criminal Justice",
some of which sounded kind of clunky. The best track is "Kite Hill"
(Parliament Hill seems to feature in the movie, by the looks of it. Dunno
when or where we'll get to see it.)
3) Jhelisa - Language Electric
There's nothing on here quite as immediate as "Friendly Pressure", but this
LP is a real grower, and overall is definitely better than the first album.
4) Herbie Hancock - Thrust
Picked up a new pressing of this very cheap when I was in Glasgow at easter
(if you're ever there, check out Fopp in Byres Road - _excellent_ selection
of rare groove classics, and amazing prices,) and filled in the last gap in
my early 70s Herbie collection. Much funkier than "Headhunters" - but OTOH
the piano solos aren't quite as compelling (check out "Sly" from
"Headhunters" for a completely bonkers solo...)
5) Eric Benet - True To Myself
Bought this at the same time as the Adriana Evans, which has pushed it down
the running order a fair bit - but this is a really nice soul LP.
"Spiritual Thing" is the obvious hit from this - though it does remind me a
lot of something else I can't quite put my finger on, and isn't that rhythm
guitar line from "Flowers" by The Emotions? There's a lot of other good
stuff on the LP too - quite a Stevie Wonder influence...
Given the Level 42 discussion, I thought I'd make life really unbearable
and start a top 5 Mark King/Level 42 "moments" thread. Oh well... in no
particular order...
Leisure Process - "A Way You'll Never Be" (dunno about the song - but MK's
bass on this is awesome.)
"Why Are You Leaving" (beautiful b-line - I think Stevie's "Black Orchid"
was an influence on this one)
The bass break on the instrumental of Thunderthumbs & The Toetsenman's
"Freedom" (MK and Mike Lindup side project 12". Mad bass solo.)
The EW&F-ish instrumental break on "Starchild" (esp the 12" mix, which
isn't longer but just sounds nicer.)
That first track on "The Early Tapes" whose name I can never remember.
Ooops... I managed to get through five without mentioning "Love Games"...
..Mark..
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Mark Allerton Mark@warmspot.compulink.co.uk
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~warmspot/