THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: October 2, 2023

PLASMATICS – Metal Priestess

October 2, 2023 /

Although this is classed as an LP, I’m not sure six songs qualifies it as such. I think this originally came out in ’81 on the UK punk label, Stiff records. This album does not have much to do with punk however, as they had moved on and this was an attempt to break into the hard rock/metal market. It’s very basic in its execution and they have managed to capture how raw the band sounded. I think this was a stepping stone to Wendy’s solo career which would take off after this when Gene Simmons would have a huge part in the next chapter.

Sex Junkie is a not too bad a track, with the live audience over the top. Black Leather Monster is fun and reminds me of the Damned. In fact, Side 2 as a whole is much better than Side 1. I really like 12 Noon, which reminds me of early BOC. The close out tune Masterplan, again with the live audience is a high energy romp.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

JAGGED EDGE – Fuel For Your Soul

October 2, 2023 /

I remember watching Jagged Edge on a support slot two years before they were signed by Polydor and released this album. It’s another one, and they’re done band. After touring to promote the record, they were dropped. Guitarist Mike Gray would bounce back with the band Skin, and Matti Alfonzetti would head back to Sweden to front Skintrade, among others. Fortunately, they left behind this killer forgotten melodic rock gem to remember them by. Britain had a little melodic rock boom going on at the time. FM and Thunder were the forerunners of the boom, and Jagged Edge with a similar sound should have done a whole lot more. They certainly had the songs and management, as they were signed with Rod Smallwood.

Highlights from the album are opener Liar, a very European sounding hard rocker with a nice riff and the chorus is really good. As well, Hell Ain’t A Long Way which has a very earthy blues rock groove, akin somewhat to Thunder. There’s also Smooth Operator, a track that mixes the heavy blues groove with Def Leppard style vocals. And my favourite track Sweet Lorraine has a really cool blues swing to the main groove, plus a really catchy riff and chorus, a winner all the way. Let’s not forget the close out track All Thru The Night. I always believe in going out with a bang, and that’s what they do here.

Perhaps they were ahead of the curve with that earth bluesy groove and if they had kept going, then who knows. A very enjoyable record.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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