THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: December 2023 (Page 6 of 9)

PLINI – Impulse Voices

December 11, 2023 /

He’s been described as Prog metal’s version of Joe Satriani, I sort of get the analogy. Both of them have the emphasis on melody, and both get their message across without using a million wasted notes. Plini releases a squillion singles and EP’s, but I think this is only his second full length album.

Plini is my new favourite musician. His talent is phenomenal and it’s so refreshing to hear music played this way. Papelillo is such an aural adventure that takes you from Prog to jazz, with some seriously deep heavy grooves inserted for maximum pleasure. Drool!

If you want to listen to that Satriani reference, the opening track I’ll Tell You Someday is the only one here that I think fits. There is a breakdown towards the end of Perfume that is so cool with the keys and that electronic groove, the sound separation is just awesome. Pan is just wonderous. From the ethereal soundscape beginning, to that low heavy crunch, plus that saxophone works so well – the solo after is insane. FAVOURITE TUNE!

What away to end an album with The Glass Bead Game, it’s such a beautiful piece of music with plenty of twists and groove changes that you feel you just want more. I think everyone should have Plini in their lives, his music is such an uplifting experience.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

STEELER – Strike Back

December 8, 2023 /

This is not the Steeler with Ron Keel and Yngwie, but rather a German band of the same name (they actually named the band after the Judas Priest song of the same name). This was the start out point for guitar whizz, Axel Rudi Pell.

This was actually the third album the band put out, and there would be one more before they all went their separate ways. I do love these mid eighties metal albums as they are so much fun and they still cared about a hook and a melody.

Chain Gang is a kickass opener with a monster riff and Rudi Pell ripping it up. Money Doesn’t Count is a very similar tune with the riff driving the track. Danger Comeback is pure thrash with the double kicks pounding all the way. Vocalist Pete Burt does have a touch of the UDO’s about him, giving the album a slight Accept feel. Ice Cold has a big Judas Priest vibe going down, especially in the hook and chorus, and that riff is pure Priest. Messing Around With Fire closes out Side 1 and it is Priest-isms all the way.

Rockin’ The City rips into Side 2 with good old gallop, the lyrics are super cheesy but the riff is so good you just have to like it. Strike Back is next with an Overkill drum groove. I have to say I love the hook and chorus here, and that riff sounds huge. Night After Night is up next and it’s favourite tune time. A really simple fat riff, a four four groove, and I’m a happy camper. The album closes out with Waiting For A Star, and the pace slows for power ballad time.

This is a fun 80’s metal record with big choruses and lots of melody before the Cookie Monster came along.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

SANTANA – Shango

December 8, 2023 /

This is album number thirteen for Santana. It was released back in ’82 and that’s nearly an album a year since the release of their self-titled debut in ’69. By now they are a totally different beast to the one that played at Woodstock. A lot of the Latin influenced jams have now gone and what you get is a smooth rock/funk sound machine. Sure, the percussion is still there but it’s just an embellishment.

Ironically, the only Latin flavoured instrumental track, Nuevo York is my favourite. Hold On and Night Hunting Time are decent enough tracks, but it just feels like a treading water or contractual obligations album. The record lacks a real banger of a tune.

This album is a mile away from Inner Secrets, which is my favourite Santana record.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

CARAVAN – In The Land Of Grey And Pink

December 6, 2023 /

This is an album I own for pure nostalgia. I have very vivid memories of a friend of mine playing this album over and over again as he was adamant that this album was one of the best Prog albums of the moment. Now, he may not have been right in his assessment, but the repeated playings had some effect as I have bought this album many times over the years.

Caravan were the leading lights of the burgeoning Canterbury scene, where folk music was mixed with the experimental progressive grooves to get a unique sound. It’s a very British sounding record, as was most of the early Prog movement. This is Caravan’s finest release.

We were all into these huge songs at the time. You know the ones that were split into many parts and took up the whole side of an album, Nine Feet Underground does just that here. I mean how can you go wrong with a track called Dance Of the Seven Paper Hankies? I remember this giving me lots of hilarity at the time, and I’m pleased to say the 12 year-old inside me still gets a laugh from it.

This whole album is a beautiful look back in time for me and I’m going for Winter Wine as my favourite track.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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