Record Reviews
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  | PETER HAMMILL ~ SKIN (EXPANDED EDITION)
VIRGIN 503279 (Barcode: 5099950327928) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1985 Released: 2007
12th album by Peter HammillFind albums by this artist and by far one of his more interesting releases, although criticized severely due to the extensive use of MIDI and sequencers, which give the album a distinctive 1980s “New Wave” sound. On the album Hammill returns to a group format, using old Van Der Graaf GeneratorFind albums by this artist mates Guy EvansFind albums by this artist and David JacksonFind albums by this artist on all tracks along with several other musicians. In a sense this might be considered a VDGG album of sorts. The music is mostly up-tempo and rocky, but Hammill’s clever lyrics and his unique vocal approach set it apart from other contemporary albums. The overall impression is quite similar to the work David BowieFind albums by this artist was doing at the time, but of course it is still very much Hammill. I haven’t listened to this album for a very long time, but hearing it again now made me realize how alive and fresh it still sounds. This is classic Hammill, something none of his many fans should miss in their collection.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MAREK NAPIORKOWSKI ~ HIPOKAMP
AGORA 5903111493905 (Barcode: 5903111493905) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
This is an album by Polish guitarist / composer Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with keyboardist Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist and Brazilian percussionist Luis RibeiroFind albums by this artist. Veteran saxophonist Adam PieronczykFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The album presents nine tracks, six of which are original compositions by Napiorkowski, two are arrangements of songs by David BowieFind albums by this artist and one is by the great Brazilian composer Egberto GismontiFind albums by this artist.
It is enormously satisfying to see an Artist achieving a status of stability and security, where his authority / ability / talent are not repeatedly questioned and where he does not have to prove anything any more, all this as a result of consistent hard work and good judgment as to the consecutive steps of his vocation. Napiorkowski is a prime example of such an Artist, enjoying a carefully weaved career built step by step, always surrounded by first class musicians and never resting comfortably on his laurels.
This album is full of surprises, starting with the very unusual lineup: basically a duo of guitar and keyboards supported by a rhythmic backbone. The wonderfully multi-talented Smoczynski is able to display the entire palette of his keyboard wizardry, including the beautiful Hammond Organ parts and of course supplying the bass lines in this bass-less setting. Dobrowolski is right on the money with his dynamic and beautifully tasteful drumming and Ribeiro ornaments the proceedings with stylish percussion parts. Pieronczyk does not disappoint either, and his elegant lyrical saxophone parts suit the music ideally.
The original compositions by Napiorkowski offer wonderfully coherent melody lines, which are expanded into non-trivial improvisations, at times touching upon imaginative Free Form sections. The two Bowie songs receive unique arrangements, taking the original melody contents into unexpected territory. The Gismonti piece, although very brief, expresses Napiorkowski´s admiration of the Brazilian Genius and fellow guitarist. The entire album offers a wonderful flow and continuity, which turns it into a superb listening experience.
Overall this is another excellent step in Napiorkowski´s well paved career, finding him searching and exploring, which of course is commendable. For the lack of a better definition, this is a beautiful example of intelligent and innovative Fusion, which points out that the idiom is far from being stale, when in great hands. Respect Maestro!
| | Updated: 20/12/2019Posted: 20/12/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | T. REX ~ T. REX (DELUXE EDITION)
A&M 600753473221 (Barcode: 600753473221) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2014
This is the debut album by the British group T. RexFind albums by this artist, which in fact is a second incarnation of the duo Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist, founded by singer / guitarist / songwriter / poet Marc BolanFind albums by this artist. Initially it included only Bolan´s partner from Tyrannosaurus Rex, Mickey FinnFind albums by this artist, but was later expanded to a quartet. This edition of the album includes a plethora of bonus tracks, including radio broadcasts, home recorded demos and alternate takes of the album tracks and more than triples the playing time of the original album.
The music on this album presents the transformation of the group from its almost anarchistic roots of Psychedelia, poetic suites with complex verses and lots of weirdness into a wide audience oriented sleek hits producing machine and fashion setting Glam act, which the group was to become in its immediate future. Although the album itself does not include any hits, the bonus tracks include the first hit single, which brought T. Rex (almost) to the top, "Ride A White Swan", which reached number two on the British charts. From now on everything was a rollercoaster with Bolan at the steering wheel, writing all the music and the lyrics. He managed to stay at the centre of attention right up to his tragic and unnecessary death in 1977.
Bolan´s friendship with David BowieFind albums by this artist and their occasional musical cooperation was not incidental. They both shared a love of the eccentric and both were trend setters. Bolan and Bowie also shared their manager (Tony HowardFind albums by this artist) and producer (Tony ViscontiFind albums by this artist) which made things easier. Bolan was among the first British stars to expand the usual Rock appearance with the vaudeville tradition, wearing colorful, often outrageous garments and using heavy makeup, similar to what Bowie and slightly later Elton JohnFind albums by this artist would also do as part of their act. Therefore he is often credited with the initiation of Glam Rock movement, which later on contributed also to the formation of the Punk culture, as means of protest against the glittering decadence.
Musically this album is a bit weaker that the four Tyrannosaurus Rex albums, which were completely innovative and uncensored, taking the listener by complete surprise if not giving him a shock treatment. The slicker production tricks, overdubs and improved vocals made everything definitely easier to swallow but at the same time much of the magic was lost in the process. On the other hand the songs themselves don´t have the zest and catchiness which was part of the later material. As stated earlier, a transitional album, which is a historic document more than it is a source of musical delights, but certainly worth revisiting.
| | | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ THE MAN FROM THE EAST
ESOTERIC 2082 (Barcode: 5013929718227) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2008
Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist settled in England in 1972, after studying music in his native country and later in the USA. He worked mainly as a composer for theatre music, but his signing as a recording artist for the IslandFind albums on this label label brought his work to the attention of a wider audience. This album was his 2nd release for the label, recorded with a Jazz oriented ensemble called Red Buddha TheatreFind albums by this artist, featuring bassist Alyn RossFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Robin ThompsonFind albums by this artist, drummer Morris PertFind albums by this artist, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist and others. The music is a wonderful fusion of Western and Far Eastern elements as well as many cross genre excursions, from atmospheric ambient to high spirited Jazz-Rock Fusion. One track from this album were later included as part of the soundtrack of the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth", starring David BowieFind albums by this artist, which made this album a sought after collector´s item.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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