THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 33 of 50)

AUTOMATIC MAN – s/t

January 30, 2021 /

Who are these guys I hear you cry? They recorded two albums for Island, this one coming out in ’76. Two notable band members are Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, and Pat Travers (former sidekick guitarist Pat Thrall). If I was pushed for a pigeon hole to put these guys in I would say a bit of pomp-rock mixed with a healthy dose of fusion, and some RnB thrown in for good measure.

Nearly all the songs on Side 1 are written and sung by keys man, Bayette, with that RnB vibe going down. Some nice playing from all involved. Close out track is Geni-Geni, with its cool funk groove is the best on this side. The songs on Side 2 are nearly all band compositions. Second track in, There’s Away, has some great playing especially from Pat Thrall.

They probably would have made a great jam band as it’s quite loose in places. and I can see why there were only two albums. To be honest the vocals aren’t the best, and the average melodies let the songs down in places.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

VAN HALEN – II

January 30, 2021 /

After the success of the first album (if you read my review is definitely one of the best albums of all time), Warner Brothers wasted no time in getting the band back in the studio to record a follow up. Into Sunset Recorders they went, and 6 days later (yes you read that right) out popped baby number two. Again all killer and no filler!!! You are pretty much going to get the same review from me for the first six VH albums as they are genre defining albums.

Album opener is You’re No Good, a cover of a Linda Ronstadt tune (Dionne Warwick before her). What a killer opening tune with the phased bass, Dave’s screams, and Eddie’s killer guitar. Ladies and germs, we have a winner! The first single, Dance the Night Away, has that infectious, ear worm chorus. Then boom… Somebody Get Me A Doctor, with that irresistible riff and swagger. Bottoms Up – Dave’s tribute to all the ladies is almost a boogie. Outta Love Again closes Side 1, and another pop/rock masterpiece with a great chorus and melody.

Light Up The Sky gets things rolling on the flip side, and an absolute monster it is. Hell, the middle 8 and solo are worth the price of admission alone. Eddie’s acoustic showpiece Spanish Fly is next, a sort of Eruption for acoustic lovers. Then the downright dirty groove of D.O.A. blows us all away. Women in Love, and the other single from this album, Beautiful Girls, close things out – both loaded with melody and a sing-a-long chorus.

Just over 30 minutes in length, and every second is pure quality. Only when CDs came in is when albums went to 70 + minutes, and name me one that long where the quality goes all the way through?! Van Halen II is another one that every self respecting rocker should own.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

RICHARD BARBIERI – Planets + Persona

January 29, 2021 /

This is the third solo album from the ex Japan and Porcupine Tree keyboard player (and he did the PT sound sculptures). Richard is not your normal key-widdler as he puts a lot into creating soundscapes and manipulating sounds with programming. Nearly everything you hear here is all electronic sounds apart from reconstructed vocals and some bass guitar and brass.

Solar Sea is a great opening track with an odd groove and pulsating rhythm that turns into an eerie vibe with twisted vocal. New Found Land starts with a pulse beat with a beautiful soundscape that leads into a really cool brass section. Next up is the center piece of the album, Night of the Hunter, which is split into three sections. Part 1, Summer, has an almost Japanese feel to it and that leads into a very sinister, Shake Hands With Danger, which builds with a military style beat into Innocence Lost – the final piece. Interstellar Medium has a really awesome created drum sound and the clarity is outstanding.

Richard has produced this himself and what a great production it is. I hope he gets to do a soundtrack for some weird and wonderful sci-fi movie, because I think this music lends itself perfectly – check out closing track Solar Storm to hear what I mean.

Previous releases have been more groove orientated with emphasis on the beats, but this time there is definitely more focus on the songs, the textures, and the sounds created. Although not as an immediate listen, as others in his back catalogue, but you will find yourself coming back to this time and again hearing things you missed as the pieces drag you deep. I don’t have a favourite, as I like it as a whole. I recommend this to anyone with a love of electronic music and I don’t mean the BPM style either.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

BRIAN MAY & FRIENDS – Star Fleet Project

January 29, 2021 /

This is just a 3 track EP that you would normally just pass by if it wasn’t for the inclusion of one, Edward Van Halen. The Van Halen’s never did much outside of the group, so this was a big deal at the time. Star Fleet, what is that I hear you ask? It was a sci-fi space tv show that aired in the UK, and it wasn’t that great to be honest. Brian watched this show with his kid and decided to make rock version of the theme tune.

The theme song is a cover of the original, with vocals from Brian, and guitars courtesy of them both, and it’s quite easy to tell them apart with such differing tones and styles. Next song, Let Me Out, was an old song Brian had lying around which they fleshed out for this project. A nice and loose feel so they can again trade off solos. The second side is one long blues jam called Blues Breaker, which sees our two main protagonists dueling solos throughout until the inevitable string breakage towards the end. So are the songs any good? Not really, but I guess that’s not the point when you can just listen to two friends who just happen to be two of the best guitar slingers around just having fun.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

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