In classic international bad-movie tradition, this ostensible sequel to the Automator's hit project Bombay the Hard Way (semi-fake Bollywood groovers) has little to do with the original. Dan Nakamura's name is nowhere in sight, and the '70s "brownsploitation" crime funk masala has given way to the electric '80s, when synths, sportsguitar and tinny canned beats held sway in Indian cinemaphonics (Miami Vice, for reference, was a prime inspiration). But this collection holds its own, and then some, reworking actual snippets from the catalogue of prominent B-wood soundtrackers Kalyanji and Anandji. Folks like Ursula 1000, DJ Me DJ You, Mix Master Mike, Steinski and Montreal's own P-Love and Kid Koala take the raw material through all manner of moods and headspaces--dig the slow, sexy flow of "Third World Lover," the dayglo Casio bang of "TJ Hookah" or the discombobulated title track. And peep the titles: "Sexy Mother Fakir," "Dil Street Blues," "Chakra Khan"--too much! 9.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Dead Kennedys Mutiny on the Bay (Manifesto) After an ugly, depressing, protracted legal battle pitting volatile frontman Jello Biafra against his three former bandmates, the catalogue of iconic Frisco punk band the Dead Kennedys has finally resurfaced, all remastered and shit, on neutral turf. Watching a bastion of countercultural zeal crumble in a whirl of greed, spite and distrust was just sad and gross, but the DK legacy, musically and philosophically, hasn't lost its razor-sharp edge. Joining the reissued albums is this collection of live takes from the Bay Area, '82 and '86, catching the band at its fiercest and most frenzied, tearing through "Police Truck," "Moon Over Marin," "Too Drunk to Fuck" and all their other classics. Live means loose and clumsy, sure, but I'll say this much--guitarist East Bay Ray's lacerating surf-punk licks have never come across so intense and frightening. 8/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Four Storeys Betting on Now (Brobdingnagian/Outside)
Various All Tomorrow's Parties 1.0 (ATP/Fusion III) Covering that ever-popular middle ground between indie and electronic, this disc compiles remixes and originals by bands who appeared at this year's U.K. fest of the same name. Among them are the Sea and Cake, Broadcast, Calexico, Yo La Tengo, Tortoise, Boards of Canada and Autechre. Anyone even remotely into avant garde indie, math rock, krautrock or chopped, sliced and diced mini-beats will find a little treasure here. And then curse the gods that you don't live in England so you can actually go see this thing. Area:One my ass. 8.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Mix Master Mike Spin Psycle (Moonshine/Koch) Mix Master Mike looks like he's gonna make a great dirty old man when he gets on in years, but for now, he'll just keep shit tight and clean as a whistle. This super-brilliant/retardo mixed CD reflects not only the hip hop and breakbeat tastes of the world-renowned DJ but also the skills that made him a superstar. Great tracks get butchered into prime cuts and juggled like two girlfriends on opposite sides of town. Mike shows love for Bumpy Knuckles, Large Pro, Fat Lip and Gang Starr as well as flipping a couple of his own, like the collabo with Q-bert called "Cosmic Assassins." Gunshots blaze for the first track "N.Y. Is Good," by Beasties offshoot BS2000, which of course gets the slice and dice courtesy of Mike. 8.5/10 (Scott C) Mystical Influence Syndicated (Vinyl Syndicate/Koch) Welcome to the sound of the urban underground, as defined by one of the senior members of Toronto's drum & bass elite. Anyone who's been to a rave in Toronto knows the names Mystical and Sniper, the two brothers who own and run Vinyl Syndicate Records, Eastern Bloc Records and Fully Loaded Distribution, and who almost singlehandedly built T.O.'s jungle scene. Mystical's debut mix CD on his own label features a healthy combination of the rough, the smooth and the tech beats from fellow crew members Niko & Rukkus, Slip and Illfingas, as well as the brothers themselves. 7/10 (Krista) Various Popshopping Mixed Up (Crippled Dick Hot Wax/Fusion III)
2 Lone Swordsmen Further Reminders (Warp/Outside) Since last year's Tiny Reminders release was such a hit with the homies, 2 Lone's Andy Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood decided to hook up with a posse of the new-school, lo-fi electronica types to get them to lay down some re-beats of that album. Now, you may be thinking, "Remixes of minimal, underwater-sounding tech-tronica done by dudes who make even weirder and more minimal tunes? It can't be done!" But it can. The results are 11 tracks of nerdy-cool blips and bleeps, electro-tech and dubtronica from bros-in-the-hood like Villalobos, Dry & Heavy, C-Pij and (the real treat) Calexico. 7/10 (Krista) Karsh Kale Realize (Six Degrees/Outside) This is the first album from drummer/ producer/tablaista Kale, the highest-profile North American auxiliary of the British Asian breakbeat scene. Since he's from NYC, I was in truth hoping for a lot more Big Apple bite and less of the overdone rama-rum-raisin spirituality lite that bogs down so many efforts across the pond. No such luck. For all its angular vectors, Realize is warm and soft, all mantras at sunrise and shit, but I'll say this much: this Kale cat can cut 'n' paste like a master. Assembled in a smart and focused manner, the tunes here leave no excess to trim nor holes to fill. Digi-hippiesque, yeah, but accurately and efficiently so. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Chocolategenius Godmusic (V2/BMG)
Usher 8701 (BMG) On his third release, Usher Raymond wants to give up some grown-up funk. Problem is, it's all strictly common. Lead single "U Remind Me" is as solid as this set gets, as is the midtempo "Twork it Out," destined to be an urban staple. But cuts like "I Don't Know" with P. Diddy and "Hottest Thing" are forgettable the minute you hear them. The only innovation comes with the hardcore "I Can't Let You Go," but it's not enough to save the show. 6.5/10 (Gerard Dee) Marcos Valle Escape (Far Out/Fusion III)
Freddy Cole Rio de Janeiro Blue (Telarc Jazz/Universal) Jimmy Scott Over the Rainbow (Milestone/Universal) Represented here are two of the greatest living jazz singers. Cole, Nat's younger brother, is finally getting his due attention, as is the influential Mr. Scott. The former CD is a mixture of the new and the old done, as the title might suggest, with a Latin tinge. "Wild is Love," "I Concentrate on You" and "Invitation" are highlights, as is the trombone playing of "Papo" Vasquez. The latter release adds the talents of musicians like David "Fathead" Newman and George Mraz to the distinctive vocal styling of little Jimmy. It's pretty much standard fare here and a moving look at "Strange Fruit" is among the many highlights. Both 9/10 (Len Dobbin) |
The Heavy Blinkers Better Weather (Brobdingnagian/Outside)
The third album by Halifax pop quintet the Heavy Blinkers is nostalgic, brief and bipolar. Getting off to a massively upbeat start, all Beach Boys harmonies, jaunty horns and strings, we're soon led down a melancholic path, more "Eleanor Rigby" than "Penny Lane." Emotional yo-yo aside, the way these folks weave their orchestration, their country and R&B influences and their obvious hard-on for the '60s is very impressive. Across the Atlantic, Oxford's Four Storeys is slightly less so, but remarkable nonetheless. Roots rock and country influences are laced with very palatable pop, while the lyrics are the kind you relate to a bit too much while sitting alone in a bar. However, the initial downer is short-lived and you're up off the floor by night's end. Blinkers 8/10, Storeys 7/10. (Lorraine Carpenter)
The original Popshopping comp, also on Crippled Dick, dug up cool and freaky German ad jingles from '60 to '75--"Superklasse," like the shoe lady says. Here's the companion piece, in which seven jingles get stretched out, fattened and breakified by some very appropriate talent. The first track, a shoe store ad, gets thoroughly Pee-fived by Konishi Yasuharu, followed by Ursula 1000 upping the already up-there cool factor of a Ford Capri spot. Others get into the act (Ford seems to have had a lot of neat tunes in the day), with Mr. Alfa and Señor 45, the Popshopping compilers, easing out on a sweet Moulinex jam. Could such a thing be done with Anne Murray's CIBC ads? Ginette Reno at Mike's? I think not. 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
I can only speculate, but I'm pretty sure the only reason this ended up in my box was because dude calls himself "Chocolategenius" and not "Vanillagenius." This dude is trapped at the bottom of a post-rock/downtempo wishing-well, and despite all the extra cool whisper-rapping and off-tune crooning, he can stay down there for all I care 'cuz I'm not feeling this. It kind of reminds me of Mindbomb, released by The The in the late '80s, only it lacks any sort of engaging commentary and the music is completely snorable. Count Chocula is definitely rolling with the lo-fi slickster set, choosing the penny orchestra rather than that overproduced sound. Pictures of Choc covered in white powder holding a human heart in the inner sleeve isn't really helping either. Oh, and Ben Harper wants his style back. 6.5/10 (Scott C)
Dads are the best! Especially when your dad is a cool dad, like the kind of dad that used to write '60s bossa nova humdingers like "So Nice (Summer Samba)." The new Marcos Valle album is kind of like listening to dad scat in beach-Portuguese while wearing an XXL pure white cotton oxford shirt, casually untucked over tight white Levis, barely concealing gnarly Tevas, his silver earring glistening in the Ipanema sunlight. Sure he's a total dad, but don't you love him all the more for it? I love you, dad! 10/10 (Adam Gollner)