THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 12, 2022

THE ARISTOCRATS – Culture Clash

January 12, 2022 /

This is the second studio album by The Aristocrats – a band put together by three of the best musicians in their field. I suppose you would classify this as a fusion album. On guitar, Guthrie Govan, on bass, Bryan Belller and on drums, Marco Minnemann. There are no hit singles on this album, just three guys showing us all what they can do. None of the songs are collaborations as they have each contributed pieces on their own.

I’m sure you have gathered by now, if you have read a lot of my reviews, that I am a total guitar nut and this album just scratches that itch for me big time. Guthrie is just on a different level to any other player today. The title track alone is just insanity, so many different styles and time changes in one song – it’s just incredible. Marco is one of the world’s go to drummers in this genre, and it always seems as though he has an extra limb while he is playing.

My favourite track on the whole album is Ohhhh Nooo!, such a wicked groove and rhythm, and the guitar playing is incredible. This album is choc full of jaw dropping moments, and if you’re a fan of great instrumental music played by insanely talented musicians who just go for it on every track – then this should be high on your list of albums to purchase.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

BE BOP DELUXE – Drastic Plastic

January 12, 2022 /

This is the final album from the Be Bop’s, released in ’78. In a short space of time, they released 5 studio albums and a live album, and each one is different from the previous. This album is quite new wave sounding – before it became fashionable to use the term new wave. There are lots of keyboards on this album, and I have always found it very American sounding – in line with a Talking Heads sort of vibe.

Bill Nelson’s vocals and his guitar make this album way above any other bands around at the time. I was quite sad when Bill called it a day with the band, and then he formed the short lived, Red Noise, before going solo and collaborating with too many people to mention here. My favourite Be Bop Deluxe album is Axe Victim, which is a million miles away in style from this album – as the emphasis was on the songs and the guitar. Here, however, the songs are still of great importance but presented in a futuristic style.

I love the opening track, Electrical Language, which has a superb groove and some great guitar. New Mysteries is a killer track with a very off beat and groove with some superb playing from Bill. Love In Flames is as close as the band came to a punk vibe, especially the vocal line. The start of Panic In The World reminds me of Heroes by Bowie, whom Bill was influenced by early on.

Not their best album, but still a very enjoyable record.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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