Record Reviews

ARTHUR BROWN ~ MONSTER`S BALL CLEOPATRA 2214 (Barcode: 889466221422) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 At the remarkable age of eighty (he was born in 1942), British vocalist / songwriter / bandleader Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist still makes music more exciting than all the musicians, half or quarter his age, seem to be able to come up with these days. Amazingly, this is his second release in 2022 and the unstoppable energy and creativity knows no borders. This time Brown abandons his usual formula of recording his own songs, and ventures into an insane world of covers of some Rock classics, all related to Halloween-like show about hell, fire, mayhem, monsters, zombies, etc., with a wink of course. The album presents thirteen (what else) songs, only three of which were penned by Brown, including a new version of his mega-hit “Fire” from 1968, but include also songs by CreamFind albums by this artist, Pink FloydFind albums by this artist and many other iconic Rock groups. Brown is accompanied by an incredible gathering of Rock superstars: Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist, Steve HillageFind albums by this artist, Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist, Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, to mention but a few, all veterans of the scene who still prove they can kick a butt or two. The music rocks and is a great fun to listen to from start to finish, despite the potentially disastrous “various artists” gathering, which often fails miserably. Obviously Brown’s personality and incredible vocal power and producer Alan DaveyFind albums by this artist’s skills simply worked out. Overall, this is an incredibly entertaining Classic Rock production, which works like magic and is able to offer quality music in the good old Rock idiom, which is almost completely absent from the scene these days. I really hope to be in Brown’s form when I get to be his age and in the meantime I can only recommend this great album to all of us geriatric people, who are the last survivors able to tell good music from trash.

Updated: 09/01/2023Posted: 09/01/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

BT ~ MONSTER (DVD-A+CD) DTS 01112 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock The full name of this album is `Music From and Inspired by the Film Monster`. BT (or Brian Transeau) is considered as one of the inventors of modern electronica. With substantial classical music education from a very early age he pioneered the genre since the mid 1990s with every album breaking new ground and introducing new developments in the music. His soundtrack to the award winning (Oscar & Golden Globe) movie Monster is a new direction as well, with sonic vistas well beyond the dance floor. The Surround Sound on this one is stunning (Normal CD added as bonus).

CD 2 DVD-A Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CAN ~ MONSTER MOVIE SPOON 4 (Barcode: 724347369322) ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2004 1st album by this German Prog group. Led by bass player Holger Czukay and guitarist Michael Karoli Can were the leaders of the German Prog scene alongside Amon Duul. Can were less influenced by psychedelia and therefore their music was closer to Prog from day one. With long compositions and extanded instrumental improvisations they were definitely one of the most important groups on the early Prog scene. This album is a classic of the genre.

CD 1 SACD Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PINK FREUD ~ MONSTER OF JAZZ UNIVERSAL 602527377025 (Barcode: 602527377025) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is the 7th album by Polish ensemble Pink FreudFind albums by this artist, which managed to gain considerable popularity on the local scene, both with Jazz and non-Jazz listeners and critics alike. Formed in 1998 by bassist / composer Wojtek MazolewskiFind albums by this artist, the group changed its lineup several times over the years but succeeded to maintain its popularity and gradually achieved a cult following and a large fan base. Musically the group offers a unique amalgam of genres and musical directions, originating with Jazz and improvisation, but also encompassing elements of Punk Rock, dub, jungle, drum and bass and electronic music. In many respects it is a direct continuation of the Yass movement, which flourished in Poland in the 1990s, and could be referred to as post-Yass. Since Yass was initially intended as an expression of rebellion against the established Jazz canons, which many young musicians felt to be stagnant, post-Yass took the rebellion a bit further out, emphasizing the cross-genre trend, groove and even dance elements, which resulted in the music being much more widely accessible. As opposed to the intellectual image that Jazz is usually associated with, this music is intelligent fun music, with some Jazz associations, and should be treated as such, no more and no less. This album was recorded by an expanded sextet version of the group, which includes, apart from the leader, trumpeters Adam Milwiw-BaronFind albums by this artist (son of the great Polish saxophonist Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist) and Tomasz ZietekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz DudaFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Jerzy RogiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Kuba StaruszkiewiczFind albums by this artist. Of all the Pink Freud albums, this is the most "radical" one, with the electronics, dub and jungle elements taking the lead, pushing the Jazz improvisations aside considerably. As a result this album will be probably the least "appealing" to listeners with a strong Jazz background. Of the twelve tracks present on the album, eleven are original compositions by the group members and the remaining one was adopted from a composition by the British electronic duo AutechreFind albums by this artist, a choice which hints as to the general direction of this album. Although there is plenty of inspired blowing by the horns, the overall mood is somewhat hectic and lacks a clear musical direction. There is an apparent absence of well formed melody lines, which characterized the groups´ earlier outings. As much as the group´s intention to continue their restless journey in search of new expressions is commendable and admirable, it often is a treacherous path which could lead to disaster if moderation is not applied. One must hope that they will re-invent themselves anew with their future efforts, leaving this one behind as a document of their quest. Of course there is plenty of music here to be enjoyed and the album is worth listening to, even if one somehow expects something more from such a great group.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

STEPPENWOLF ~ MONSTER BGO 0126 (Barcode: 5017261201263) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 1992 5th album by US Rockers extraordinaire SteppenwolfFind albums by this artist, led by charismatic lead singer John KayFind albums by this artist, who also penned most of their material, which is a great example of how Rock music became a most potent weapon during the social / political upheaval in the US at the time of its release. Most of the songs on this album are full of bitterness and sarcasm and bear strong commentary on the American political system and of course its involvement in the Vietnam War. Kay, as most rockers at the time, was a representative of the rebellious young generation, which looked upon politicians with disgust and despise, letting his opinion to be heard. Considering Rock´s immense popularity at the time, performers had a wide audience and therefore were widely influential, which was a major factor in their struggle for change. Of course in retrospect we all know that governments remained corrupt and often immoral, but the struggle brought these issues to the awareness of an entire generation. As to the music, it is as good as all Steppenwolf material at the time, although mostly dismissed by critics, which for some reason never really "got" the band´s fortes. This is Classic Rock, well written and well performed, which withstands the tides of time sans any inferiority complex. For the generation that never heard this music at the time it was created, here is an opportunity to plunge into history and enjoy it while doing it.

Updated: 28/02/2024Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend