Kurt Iveson (kiveson@coombs.anu.edu.au)
Thu, 14 Jan 1999 11:42:34 +1100 (EDT)
Hi everyone....
I know I'm a little late on this one, but I just wanted to wish y'all a
good year and mention some highlights from the last one. I'm not sure any
of these would make my 'top ten of the 90s' list, but I think they're all
pretty good...
People have already mentioned the 4 Hero album, the King Britt thing, and
the Terry Callier record. I enjoyed all of these, particularly the 4 Hero
thing, which I think is really soulful. I was travelling in Italy late
last year and missed seeing them live in Milano by one day ..... d'oh!
Lauryn Hill was cool but not earth-shattering, and the Funkungfusion thing
is good for people like me who can't afford to keep up with the individual
output of Ninja artists.
A couple of things that people haven't mentioned that I really dug include:
Moonrock - Moonrock
Australian long-player on Creative Vibes label. One of the best things I
bought all year ... lushious and atmospheric hip hop, some featuring the MC
skills of Sleeping Monk, but mostly instrumental stuff. Unfortunately, the
last time Creative Vibes updated their web site was some time in 1997, so I
can't send you to a place where you can hear it for yourselves....
Gangstarr - Moment of Truth
In a year which included a coupla disappointing joints from former hip hop
champs, this one delivered the goods I reckon. Premier showed that he's
still got it on the decks, his production is so crisp and full of
personality. And Guru's still got the voice and the rhymes, even if he's
almost starting to slip into a few tired gansterisms on a couple of tracks.
Excellent.
John Scofield and Martin, Medeski and Wood - A Go Go
This record isn't breaking any new ground or anything, but it sure as hell
is funky. I haven't got all that much stuff by either artist, but the
collaboration seems to work pretty well to my ears, and results in some
very groovy soul-jazz for the 90s.
1998 was also a great year for reissues. A fave is the box set of the
Miles Davis Quintet's recordings from 1965-68 which is still rocking my
world, along with Herbie Hancock's Sextant and some more Pharoah Sanders
and Alice Coltrane I managed to get my hands on. (And for you
kosmigroovers out there, I'm still saving for the Bitches Brew box ...
Columbia are gonna send me bankrupt with all these reissues).
This year? Aside from the new Star Wars movie, I'm hyped for a new release
from MeShell some time in the near future ... anyone got any news on when
she's likely to drop another LP?
OK, take it easy everyone,
Kurt
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