THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 258 of 493)

BITCHES SIN – Predator

September 2, 2022 /

I guess Bitches Sin can be classified as a first generation NWOBHM band, even though their first album would not appear till ’82, they had a couple of demo’s and a single going round in ’80 and ’81.

Heavy Metal Records sure had a lot of faith in them as they even splashed out on a Rodney Matthew’s cover. What they should have paid the money on was a decent producer. The e first thing I will tell you is that the production is not that great, and the whole record sounds flat and empty. A good producer would have worked with the band to improve the songs, as that is what this album desperately needs.

At best I would describe this as pub rock. I mean, they are trying their best and they were probably pumped to have an album out, but a lot of bands never survived the cull from NWOBHM and Bitches Sin were one of those. I would say my favourite track is Haneka. This is for NWOBHM collectors only.

5.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LIQIUD TENSION EXPERIMENT – 2

September 1, 2022 /

This is the second instalment of LTE, released back in ’99. Looking back at the cover many years later, you notice Portnoy has short hair, Rudess actually has HAIR, and Petrucci’s beard and forehead hadn’t taken over his whole appearance at this point. Musically it’s on the money if you like overblown and over the top instrumentals – and I most certainly do.

Acid Rain feels like a Dream Theater tune until the middle section where everyone does their individual thing. A ripping opener!!! Biaxident starts in quite a grandiose classical manner before the killer odd time grooves take over. This track does have a seventies fusion vibe to it. 914 starts with big drums and Tony Levin pounding on the bass, but this track is all about Rudess on the keys. Killer playing!!! When The Water Breaks was inspired by the arrival of John Petrucci’s child and his departure to be there at the birth. I get that the keyboard intro is inspired by that, but the rest of the track? I don’t hear it. It’s just killer fusion to me. Chewbaca has a seemingly familiar vibe, as it starts quite simple with a great groove and just takes off. Hourglass is the most laid back track on the album and dare I say, an instrumental ballad. Another Dimension gets my vote as favourite tune on the album, as the Petrucci’s playing is just insane. The album closes out with Liquid Dreams and I would say this is the most experimental piece on the album. At times Jazz, Prog, and everything else in between. Long may they make long instrumentals that defy grands.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ST GERMAIN – Tourist

September 1, 2022 /

This is a 2012 reissue of the classic nu jazz/house funk album. St German is the stage name for band leader, Ludovic Navarre who was at the forefront of the French nu/jazz movement. This is a superbly produced record and sounds amazing.

Rose Rouge opens the album with a fast jazz beat then, as the track progresses the house beat and repeating vocal are added for a very infectious vibe. Montego Bay Spleen is pure reggae with dirty funk jazz grooves added, and a really cool jazz guitar. So Flute starts with literally just a flute, and the magic starts to be added form jazz to funk. I love the way the tracks start out as something and grow into something else. La Gouttte D’Or is such a chill piece with killer grooves. Sure Thing starts with some killer blues and has a seriously funky repeating layer back groove. Pont Des Artes is so deliciously groovy, I defy any of you to not start dancing around you space of choice. Latin Note is my favourite track on the album and if this doesn’t get you moving then the old groove muscle needs a serious tune up. Land Of starts with a huge Hammond intro before we settle down to a released funky jazz vibe. The album closes out with What You Think About and very dirty slow funk groove. Killer record with grooves a plenty that is a pure joy to listen to.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SLADE – Alive

August 31, 2022 /

Before Slade became one of Britains favourite glam bands of the 70s they had been knocking on the door for a few years before. They had a love of American blues and that’s what they started off playing. They came to the attention of Chas Chandler who thought a change of image and label would be a good idea. So the skinhead image was adopted and Play It Loud was released. This live album was from that tour.

This was the second full length album I ever owned, and I do have a soft spot for the raw power of this record. There are only seven songs on the album, the majority of which are covers including their first chart single Get Down And Get With It, which has all the hallmarks of the Slade to come. The album closes out with a monster version of Born To Be Wild. But the cover of Alvin Lee’s Hear Me Calling is my favourite track. It’s good to hear how raw and rockin’ Slade were before fame came a knocking.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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