THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 121 of 491)

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.

SASS JORDAN – Rats

December 4, 2023 /

This is album number three for another one of Canada’s best kept secrets. If you have heard of Stevie Salas and his Colorcode project, then you will get the vibe of this album as it feels like a Colorcode record with Sass singing. That’s not taking anything away from Sass. She is amazing, it’s just the vibe is so close.

It’s those funkier tracks that really do it for me though. Her voice fits so well, and I am partial to some Stevie Salas. Damaged opens up the album and the groove is so freakin’ groovy, I mean what a way to open a record. However, the best vocal track is undoubtedly Pissin’ Down. It’s a slower mood tune where you get the full force of that incredible voice and some nice guitar from Stevie. High Road Easy was a single. I remember hearing it on the radio and immediately went out to source a copy of the album. Killer tune and groove!

This album came out in ’94 and she is still cranking out great records with last year’s Bitches Blues a case in point.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TY TABOR – Moonflower Lane

November 29, 2023 /

I’m a huge KingsX fan and their first five albums are untouchable. So, when they go their separate ways and do the solo stuff it’s as though they remove their piece of the triangle. Ty’s love of The Beatles (especially the Sgt. Pepper album) is so evident with this release. I think this is due to the similarity his voice has to John Lennon, and his phrasing.

Coming out in ’98, this was Ty’s second solo release. This album doesn’t have the groove or the edge of KingsX, but the DNA is there with all those luscious vocal harmonies and Ty’s unmistakable guitar tone. Lyrically this is quite joyous and uplifting, and not as dark as the X. I have a couple of favourite tunes: The Island Sea and the sheer beauty of Her Palace. Both very different styles musically but both move me with the harmonies.

A different, but rewarding listening experience.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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