THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2021 (Page 1 of 13)

HELLANBACH – The Big H

September 30, 2021 /

This is the second and final album from Newcastle’s Van Halen influenced beat combo, HELLANBACH. I don’t think I have heard a guitar player this close to Edward himself. Sure, everybody copied tricks and runs from Edward, but no one got as close to his style and sound as Davey Payton did. In fact, Patton and vocalist Jimmy Brash made a great team, and I was dumbfounded they never made more from their talents.

This is such a good record, as was their first album, and it’s a shame they never sold more. I think everyone in Britain was more into straight ahead metal than flash awesome rock music. I have begun to appreciate this second album more over the years as I always thought the first album was the better of the two, but I now love them both. Tracks like The Main Man and Bandits Run are really good with some superb playing from Patton, but my favourite track on the record goes to SPGC (Street Punk Go Crazy). It has a great riff and the guitar sound is freakin’ awesome. Somewhat ironically, the track Daddy Dig Those Cats is a homage to the Stray Cats. I think Davey Patton still plays in stripped down rock n roll band around the north east of England. Great album!

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

IMPELLITTERI – Venom

September 30, 2021 /

The one thing I do miss about most modern metal is the lack of melodic vocals. Nearly every modern metal band has the the guy growling down a drainpipe style vocal. I get there is a time and place to fit that into a song to accentuate the light and shade of a tune, but unless the music is absolutely killer I switch off and move on.

Melody is high on the agenda with Impellitteri without compromising too much on the metal. Chris is a great guitar player in the Malmsteen mode but with more of a metal edge. Rob Rock is a great vocalist although some of the lyrics I find a bit too much with the bible content. If I want to be preached to I would go to church.

Anyhoo, the songs are all great with amazing playing and huge fat riffs, which is always a plus for me. Venom, the title track, is a perfect example of a killer speed metal track. Fast chugga riff, over the top guitar, and awesome vocals. No song lasts more than 4.30 – in fact – there is only one track over 4 minutes making every track straight to the point and making you want more. My personal favourites are Nightmare and Reach For The Sky, both are killer tracks with monster riffs. The production is fat and in your face and sounds super clear. Impellitteri don’t make bad records and this is no exception.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

HERBIE HANCOCK – Manchild

September 29, 2021 /

It’s 1975 and this is prime fusion-era Herbie – but this time with more of a funk influence. It’s very hard to find music like this in today’s scene, but back in the mid-seventies every label was riding the experimental bandwagon. Believe it or not, this was Herbie’s 15th studio album. This album was originally released on CBS, but this is a 2013 speakers corner reissue and it sounds fantastic. Herbie is accompanied by an awesome band complete with a killer horn section.

What an opening number with Hang Up Your Hang Ups, the funkiest of riffs you will ever hear that leads into a superb soul/fusion funk fest. Sun Touch is a more traditional style smooth jazz number. It’s superbly played and is so clear. Side 1 closes out with The Traitor, a very funky affair accentuated from the start with that groovy bass line. Bubbles is a super laid back slow groove – a great late night tune to chill to. Steppin’ In It is pure funk driven by the bass and keyboard groove, and the horns are just superb. Heartbeat closes out the album and this is a full on funk/fusion fest. Great playing from the whole band. I say band, as this would be the last Headhunters album. I love this style of music and this period in particular.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STARZ – s/t

September 29, 2021 /

This is another American band that we were told repeatedly in the music press of the time that they were the next big thing, and to be prepared to be blown away. Musically, I would say they are heavily influenced by Kiss, and they have a similar style of writing – a near carbon copy on this release at least. The press called them “heavy metal”, but I would say more hard rock with a hint of power pop.

Richie Ranno is not a bad guitar player, he is very Ace in his style, and Michael Lee Smith is a cross between Paul and Gene with his vocal style. It’s not bad for 1976, but they were never going to blow me away. It’s well played and the songs are short and snappy, but nothing too outstanding, it’s just a fun rock n roll record. My favourite songs are Detroit Girls and Monkey Business.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

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