New Music Reviews
Music Reissues Weekly: Maha - OrkosSunday, 16 October 2022
Orkos was originally released in 1979 on cassette. The only album by Egyptian singer Maha seems to have been little known. The liner notes for its first-ever reissue say “it was not a success when it was originally released. While nobody remembers the exact numbers, sales must have been very limited and the project was quickly forgotten about and no follow up release was produced.” Read more... |
Machine Gun Kelly, OVO Hydro, Glasgow review - fire and fury from pop punk convertMonday, 10 October 2022
If ever a moment summed up the spirit of a gig perfectly, then it is the segment in this arena showcase where Machine Gun Kelly is confronted by the internet, represented by what appears to be a blow up statue with a monitor for a head. As it demands the American rap rocker should be pigeonholed into one genre, he strikes on a solution which involves a helicopter flying in to shoot it. Read more... |
Music Reissues Weekly: Trip On Me - Soft Psych & SunshineSunday, 09 October 2022
The Candy Company. Evergreen Tangerine. The Lollipop Fantasy. The Pretty People. The Primrose Circus. “It's a Groovy World.” “Meadows and Flowers.” “Summer Flower (She's on my Mind).” Read more... |
Jaminaround, Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne review - contemporary sounds in an archaic settingTuesday, 04 October 2022
The most unlikely venue: an extraordinary, authentic-as-can-be replica of a large Iron Age roundhouse. There’s a turf and grass roof, and the structure, made of immense roughly carved oak trunks, defies belief. Read more... |
Music Reissues Weekly: Catch-A-Fire - Treasure Isle Ska, Top Ranking DJ SessionSunday, 02 October 2022
Two snapshots of Jamaica’s music, each catching styles associated with specific periods. The two CDs of Catch-A-Fire - Treasure Isle Ska (1963-1965) collects 47 tracks originally issued by Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid’s Duke Reid, Dutchess and Treasure Isle labels. Top Ranking DJ Session Volumes 1 & 2 is titled after two vintage compilations – the double CD compiles 44 tracks recorded by Joe Gibbs over 1977 to 1979. Read more... |
The Big Moon, Oran Mor, Glasgow review - partying prevails despite band's bad luckMonday, 26 September 2022
Presumably before setting out on their current tour the Big Moon smashed a few mirrors, walked under some ladders and crossed the paths of numerous black cats. Not only is this jaunt over two years in the making, endlessly postponed for the usual coronavirus reasons, but the foursome also lost most of their equipment in Spain just prior to hitting the road. Read more... |
Music Reissues Weekly: Bill Nelson's Red Noise - Art / Empire / Industry - The Complete Red NoiseSunday, 25 September 2022
The British music weeklies were clear about where the Sound-On-Sound LP and its singles fitted into the current musical topography when they were issued in 1979. Comparisons offered up included Magazine, Talking Heads and XTC. And, more curiously, The Tubes. Whatever the assessments, the band behind these releases was new wave. Read more... |
Music Reissues Weekly: The Best of Roxy MusicSunday, 18 September 2022
In summer 2001, The Best of Roxy Music reached number 12 on the album charts. The 18-track compilation tied-in with the band’s reunion tour, which kicked off that June. Original band members Bryan Ferry, Andy MacKay, Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson came together for the dates. They’d last played live in May 1983, after which they split. Read more... |
Music Reissues Weekly: The Sons of Adam - Saturday's Sons: The Complete Recordings 1964-1966Sunday, 11 September 2022
“We played the Rolling Stones concert at Long Beach Arena. The Stones came on, and it was the first time that any band had ever done better than us. I was very angry about that.” Randy Holden was The Sons of Adam’s guitarist. He was pretty certain of his own band’s impact in November 1964. Read more... |
The Divine Comedy, Barbican review - a triumphant retrospectiveTuesday, 06 September 2022
“We love you, Neil!” came the shout from the back of the circle. “Well, you’d have to,” he replied. Five nights, ten albums, 113 songs and 30-plus years of releases: The Divine Comedy’s residency at the Barbican was an opportunity to savour the artistry of Neil Hannon, as his creative life unfolded in fast forward for our pleasure. Read more... |
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