Neu! -- 2

  Can-esque futura ambient Rock ... Side one works like a new album, while side two has previously released tracks but at irregular turntable speeds.  Point is it's still worth getting, but I'd stick to their first one instead. 

Ben E. King -- Seven Letters

  Toss aside some cheesy moments, and the every once in a while campy background vocals, this Ben E. King release is great.  What you've got here are dark soulful ballads forcing you to think about your own mortality, frailties and raison d'etre ... or maybe it was just that kinda night?

The Upsetters -- Scratch & Company Chapter 1

  Not sure if this is a comp of various artists or what ... seems like a purposeless cash grab exploiting Jamaica's greatest producer.  Needless to say side one of this Reggae/ Dub album has some killer numbers, sorta the kind of tunes you are looking for when buying a Perry record, where side two drops the ball, way too much Dub, cheesy vocals and over access of fading in and out with flange.  All in all it's pretty good -- OK.

Exuma

  Exuma is African style Folk music a la Richie Havens, it's raw and pure.  Although it's primary style is set in Africa there is a New Orleans feel to it, like having a full fledged junk band with Caribbean elements and dark Hoodoo style undertones ... almost like the soundtrack of some bizarre ritual that you may not want to know what it's all about.  

Those Shocking Shaking Days

  70's Indonesian compilation, all influenced by Western sounds.  Most of this three record set just sounds like passable variations of Can, and there were a couple real surprises ... otherwise ... let's face it ... the only reason I bought this record was to save on shipping because I was dying to get myself a copy of Trout Mask Replica, which was a complete disappointment.  It sounded like the insane ramblings of a madman, schizophrenia on vinyl, four goddamn sides of bee doo boop boop, rah la la la, bing, bang, skweek bah doo beh deh bah doo beh dah ... you get the point.  How in the f*ck did they rehearse this sh*t twelve hour a day for months?  No wonder Beefheart had to torture and brainwash them to play this crap.  Even the entire next day I was in this Trout Mask fog, not entirely sure what the hell I just put myself through, confused as to why this album is so highly acclaimed and sought after ... all and all I feel cheated -- I want my 32 bux back ... but this comp was pretty good!

Junior Kimbrough -- You Better Run : The Essential ...

  Raw, minimalistic, passionate, "bad mutha ... shut your mouth," Blues.  Junior Kimbrough is the real deal, bringing the Blues, from it's Georges Thoro-Ray Vaughan grave, back to it's natural visceral state.  This comp does not only feature some killer Blues, but also old life friend, Charlie Feathers, in an early recording on the opening track.  With just one look at the cover you know that this is the face of authentic Blues that can't be taught -- only lived!

Suicide

  Synth-a-billy Dadaist weirdos, Suicide.  I could try to explain it, but let's face it, you have to hear it for yourself!