THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: December 2023 (Page 8 of 9)

STEELY DAN – Aja

December 4, 2023 /

There was a time in the late 70s and early 80s where there was a seeming hatred for Steely Dan and their music in the press. It’s not easy to see why, but I guess it was their single minded determination to do what they wanted and not conform to any trend. Now, the music biz is all about trends and the next big thing that they can jump to in the blink of an eye, and Steely Dan are definitely not that.

Nobody makes great sounding albums like this anymore. That knowledge is being lost as everyone thinks they can record straight to a laptop and it’s gonna sound great. Whether you like them or not, the band’s albums are sonically superb and Aja is a pure joy to listen to.

My favourite tracks? Well, I’m going for the title track first as it’s a super smooth groove and you get to hear Steve Gadd laying down some wicked drums. Also, I Got The News is where the band lay into a killer funky groove, which is something they do so well.

Everyone should own a copy of this just as an example of how good albums used to sound.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

REVOLUTION SAINTS – Eagle Flight

December 4, 2023 /

This is album number four for another one of the Frontiers’ projects that gives a moment in the spotlight to their in house producer, songwriter, and keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio. The only song he doesn’t contribute to (writing wise) is Crime Of The Century. If you know anything of these Frontiers projects, they all seem to have that same footprint where they all sound a bit like Journey. Well, thats how it comes across to me. I mean Dean Castronovo alone makes it all sound like Journey just with his phrasing, so they don’t have to try to hard here.

You may think I’m going to do a big dump all over this record, but I’m not. The album is a very slick sounding melodic rock behemoth and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s 1984. Anything that Dean sings is gold, he could sing a Chinese take out menu and it would be immense, and Joel Hoekstra on guitar just kills it. You could pick any track as your favourite and you’d be happy, but I’m going for Need Each Other. Nope, it’s not a rocker as such, just a well written song where Dean’s vocals are awesome.

This pressing is surprisingly really good. Hopefully Frontiers have got to grips with all their pressing problems.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

SABU – Heartbreak

December 4, 2023 /

I’m not sure if any of you will remember an Indian actor called Sabu, but he released movies in the 1930’s and 40’s. No worries if you don’t, but Paul Sabu is his son. Paul started making records in ’79 and this is the third release that came out in ’85. He is now more well known as a session guy who has played on hundreds of albums and movie soundtracks. Not only is Mr. Sabu one hell of a guitar player, but he also possesses a fine set of pipes and he sure can write a tune.

Angeline opens up the album with a great uptempo melodic anthem that you can’t fail to sing to. My favourite track is Shake, Rattle, Roll. A monster riff and groove drives this baby along just fine, and the solo is killer. Just For The Moment should have been a single. That rock groove mixed with a little bit of soul is a winner in my book.

The album is a fine mix between rockers and power ballads, but it’s always the more rockin’ tracks that grab my attention. Hot Flash, Heartbreak, Tuff Stuff, and New Girl In Town are really cool songs with an uptempo beat and groove, that all have super catchy hooks and choruses.

This album was definitely right place and time, but for some reason it didn’t take off. It’s a great album nonetheless and I’m sure it would fit nicely into your collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FROST – Experiments In Mass Appeal

December 4, 2023 /

Is it a band, or is it a project? Definitely a project. Frost only seemingly come together when Jem has a window of opportunity from his day job of writing and producing modern pop songs for many artists. They have released four albums so far, of which this is the second, that came out in 2008. They are described as a “Neo progressive rock supergroup.” All I know is that they make great records that seem to cross all boundaries.

Experiments In Mass Appeal and Welcome To Nowhere open up the album and if they only ever made these two pieces, then they would go down as geniuses of modern progressive music. This is such an epic opening with many twists and turns, but with that emphasis on melody and accessibility always front and centre. Pocket Sun is heavier, mainly due to the drum solo that changes the groove frequently, and again that vocal melody is pure joy.

The double outro of Wonderland and The Secret Song is just epic and pure Prog heaven. I don’t know how one man can have so much music inside him. I bet Jem wakes up in the night with random melodies and vocals flowing through his mind; a very talented man. My only gripe with the whole album is that the drums sound muffled at times. There was a special vinyl master done as well, so I’m not sure what the problem is.

That doesn’t detract away from what a great album this is though.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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