January 31, 2022

Silicon Dream - Time Machine (1988)

Country: Germany
Language: English
Genre: Pop
Label Number: INT 845.531

© 1988 Blow Up
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: silicon dream, time machine, 1988, flac,

Afro-Plane - Afro-Plane (1994)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Style: Pop Rap
Label Number: 07863 66291-2

© 1994 RCA/BMG/Kaper Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

* Due to past abuse, comments for the Hip-Hop section have been disabled. 


tags: afro plane, afro plane album, 1994, flac,

Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Cool & Steady & Easy (1994)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hip-Hop, Acid Jazz
Style: Jazz Rap
Label Number: 07863 66580-2

© 1994-1995 RCA Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

* Due to past abuse, comments for the Hip-Hop section have been disabled. 


tags: brooklyn funk essentials, cool and steady and easy, 1994, flac,

January 30, 2022

Teena Marie - Greatest Hits (1991)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Pop
Label Number: EK 48652

© 1991 Epic Records
In 1991, Epic Records offered an overview of Teena Marie's eight-year, four-album tenure with the label with this 58-minute best-of CD, which boasts mostly first-rate material, but misses some high points and should have been ten to 15 minutes longer. The more obvious choices -- such as the rock-influenced "Lovergirl" (one of Lady T's few pop hits), the ballad "Dear Lover," and "Ooo La La La" -- are included along with some pearls that weren't major hits, like her poignant tribute to Marvin Gaye, "My Dear Mr. Gaye," and her jazz ballad "Cassanova Brown." But amazingly, the collection omits 1983's "Fix It" -- her first hit after leaving Motown and resurfacing on Epic.

tags: teena marie, greatest hits, 1991, flac,

Teena Marie - Irons In The Fire (1980)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Pop
Label Number: 374 635 372-2

© 1980-1986 Motown
“Behind the Groove” was still on the charts when Teena Marie struck again with “I Need Your Lovin’,” a seemingly weightless but potent dancefloor number that eventually eclipsed the success of its predecessor. Like everything else on Irons in the Fire, released six months following Lady T, the song -- the most joyous R&B single of 1980, tied with Patrice Rushen's “Haven’t You Heard” -- was written, arranged, and produced by Teena. She proved that she could not only handle everything but excel creatively and sell some records. This was T’s first Top Ten R&B album, and it crossed into the Top 40 of the Billboard 200. “I Need Your Lovin’” was a major reason for the success, playing the same role as Wild and Peaceful's “I’m a Sucker for Your Love” and Lady T's “Behind the Groove” by leading off the album with tremendous positive energy. The song was so big that it overshadowed the set’s other upbeat songs. “First Class Love” was dusted off from the mid-‘70s demo pile and given a forceful rock edge, and it acted like a warning flare for one of her biggest crossover hits, 1984’s “Lover Girl.” “Chains,” spotlighting fellow Motown act Ozone (a band Teena produced the following year) with call-and-response vocals and instrumental flash to spare, as well as the gorgeously Latin-flavored “You Make Love Like Springtime,” should not be discounted, either. Once again, transportive ballads -- highlighted by “Young Love” -- are a key attraction, boasting a few more subtle sonic twists than Teena’s previous slow material. Her athletic voice is so alluring that one can see past perfumed-meadow-of-the-mind meanderings like “Here I am, your Piscean holocaust/Born in Venice Harlem, it’s so sweet, the sour sauce.”

tags: teena marie, irons in the fire, 1980, flac,

Ten Thieves - It Don't Matter: Maxi Single (1995)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label Number: BAD 8010-2

© 1995 Break A Dawn Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

* Due to past abuse, comments for the Hip-Hop section have been disabled. 


tags: ten thieves, it dont matter, maxi single, 1995, flac,

January 29, 2022

Prince Ital Joe ft. Marky Mark - Life In The Streets (1994)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: House, Hip-Hop
Style: Pop Rap
Label Number: 4509-96318-2

© 1994 Ultraphonic/EastWest
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: prince ital joe marky mark, life in the streets, 1994, flac,

The Rapsody - Overture: Hip-Hop Meets Classic (1997)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label Number: 536 855-2

© 1997 Mercury/Def Jam Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

* Due to past abuse, comments for the Hip-Hop section have been disabled. 


tags: the rapsody, overture hip hop meets classic, 1997, flac,

Eternal - Always & Forever (1993) ⚓

Country: United Kingdom
Genre: R&B
Label Number: 7243 8 28212 2 9

© 1993 EMI Records/1st Avenue
Eternal, another entry in the growing ranks of female quartets, don't just blur the line between modern urban music and contemporary gospel; they almost obliterate it on this debut session, whose corps of producers and writers includes Bebe Winans. Rather than dividing or obscuring the lyrical focus and having listeners wondering who the object of their love is from song to song, Eternal simply splits the menu between praise/religious cuts and straight, sizzling love tunes. They move from a blistering remake of "Let's Stay Together" or "Sweet Funky Thing" to the equally vigorous "Amazing Grace" or "Just A Step From Heaven." These women have great voices, but there's something a bit unsettling about the move from the bedroom to the altar on the same session.

tags: eternal, always and forever, 1993, flac,

Eternal - Power of a Woman (1995)

Country: United Kingdom
Genre: R&B
Label Number: 7243 8 36354 2 9

© 1995 EMI Records/1st Avenue
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: eternal, power of a woman, 1995, flac,

Eternal - Before The Rain (1997)

Country: United Kingdom
Genre: R&B
Label Number: 7243 8 56352 2 9

© 1997 EMI Records/1st Avenue
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: eternal, before the rain, 1997, flac,

Cowboy Junkies - Lay It Down (1996)

Country: Canada
Language: English
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: GEFD-24952

© 1996 Geffen Records
Released in 1996, this CD definitively answers a question that has occasionally plagued the Cowboy Junkies: yes, they sound good, but can they rock? Though still laden with the melancholia that has marked previous efforts, this CD is sonically dense, guitar-drenched, and good at high-volume levels. Margo Timmins' voice has never been more expressive, and the lyrics shimmer with intensity. Although the band has occasionally touched on quiet moments reminiscent of fellow Canadian Neil Young, little they have done before this album approached the emotive wail of his louder efforts. The Cowboy Junkies have proven their versatility while retaining their unique sound.

tags: cowboy junkies, lay it down, 1996, flac,

Cowboy Junkies - Miles From Our Home (1998) ☠

Country: Canada
Language: English
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: GEFSD-25201
☠: Selected by Lass
© 1998 Geffen Records
Working with producer John Leckie on Miles from Our Home has enlivened the Cowboy Junkies' trademark lackadaisical style somewhat. Replacing the group's calm, minimalist sound with a polished production, Leckie manages to make the record sound unlike anything else in the band's catalog. That's not to say that there's no trace of the old style -- he has simply updated their sound, bringing it in line with adult alternative pop that they played a part in establishing in the late '80s. If the results aren't as magical as The Trinity Sessions, they're far from disappointing. Margo Timmins' voice remains as enchanting as ever and her brother Michael Timmins' songs are sturdy. There might not be any masterpieces on Miles from Our Home, but there aren't any misfires, either -- it's simply a solid album from a reliable band.

tags: cowboy junkies, miles from out home, 1998, flac,

Cowboy Junkies - Open (2001)

Country: Canada
Language: English
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: 01143-1020-2

© 2001 Latent/Zoë Records
Cowboy Junkies have a sound, a vibe. There's no denying it. You can tell it's them within a few notes and each successive record seems to pick up right where the last one left off. Some, like The Trinity Sessions, are dark, moody, and mellow, like being coated in honey and draped in velvet. Others, take Pale Sun, Crescent Moon for example, seem downright energetic in comparison. Open is more in line with the first batch, though it has moments of near-enthusiastic revelry. With Alan Anton's plump (rather than phat) basslines, Peter Timmins' laid-back drumming, and Michael Timmins' dirty guitars to ride on, Margo Timmins contributes her trademark sensual, yet understated vocal performances. The whole gang sounds as good as ever. And, although he may be called a songwriter, Michael Timmins is more a true poet with musical inclinations. Full of wonder and romance, fear and passion, Open is simply the next chapter in his sublime book of heartfelt verse. The compassionate tenderness of "Thousand Year Prayer" contrasts nicely with the harmonica and feedback duel of "Dragging Hooks." And darn if "I'm So Open" doesn't bounce right along on a little groove. They've got it all here. If nothing else, this band is one of the most consistent around. Though album sales may not always reflect it, they continually deliver strong records that refuse to be faulted for anything other than being non-mainstream.

tags: cowboy junkies, open, 2001, flac,

Cowboy Junkies - One Soul Now (2004)

Country: Canada
Language: English
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: 01143 1036 2

© 2004 Zoë/Latent Recordings
While it seems more common in the '80s, '90s, and beyond for a good band to remain intact for ten-plus years, they all face the same challenge: how does one continue to keep the music fresh and remain relevant? The Cowboy Junkies faced an uphill battle from the get-go, always living in the shadow of The Trinity Session (1988), and moving from the mainstream (including major labels, radio play, and a gig on Saturday Night Live) to just under the radar. Despite these changes, the Junkies have still been able to make great albums, like 1992's Black Eyed Man and 2001's Open. Both of these albums also showed a band willing to delve into new sounds (country and classic rock, respectively) and come up winners. One Soul Now seems to pick up where Open left off, retaining the tougher sound highlighted by edgy guitar work and a more rhythmic pulse. The title cut opens with acoustic guitar before transforming into a sleepy rocker that manages to be seductive and sinister at the same time. Margo Timmins' vocals are hypnotically lovely as usual, merging with bluesy guitar riffs and emerging above the morass as the chorus kicks in. Here, and on the following cut, "Why This One," it's easy to believe that the Junkies are going to pull off another coup. The arrangements and production of both cuts seem to bring a perfect balance to these songs, and the execution is handled with confidence. On second listen, however, Michael Timmins' songs tend to float more than move, and by the time the listener reaches the third cut, "My Wild Child," a familiar complaint against the Junkies emerges: the songs begin to fade into one another, more somnolent than hypnotic. Perhaps that's why a number of the later cuts choose different approaches by adding everything from organ to accordion to handclaps. Unfortunately, the guitar work on "Hunting Grounds" sounds like an outtake from "Dark Hole Again" on Open, while "Stars of Our Stars" seems cheerfully dissident from the surrounding material. Similar complaints can be made against the remainder of the album, with the Junkies veering between lethargic rockers like "Call You Baby" to atypically upbeat pieces like "No Long Journey Home." Longtime fans, wondering what the Cowboy Junkies have been up to for the last three years, will probably find several songs to like on One Soul Now. Newcomers will be much happier by picking up Open.

tags: cowboy junkies, one soul, 2004, flac,

Cowboy Junkies - Early 21st Century Blues (2005)

Country: Canada
Language: English
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: 01143-1078-2

© 2005 Latent/Zoë Records
It's been over 15 years since the Cowboy Junkies dropped their sparse masterpiece The Trinity Session. Recorded with very little gear in the span of one evening, it introduced the group's signature "sepia-drone" delivery to the world, a style that's never really undergone any surgery. Early 21st Century Blues attempts to build a bridge between 1988 and 2005 with a new collection of standards, covers, and originals that employ that same minimalist approach and scant recording time -- five days this time around. Built around the themes of "war, violence, fear, greed, ignorance, and loss," the familial quartet, along with a handful of friends, presents the works of Bob DylanJohn LennonBruce SpringsteenRichie Havens, and U2 as filtered through the half-time heartbeat that is the Cowboy Junkies' trademark. Anyone even remotely familiar with the group can look at a song like "One," "Isn't It a Pity," or "Two Soldiers" on paper and hear the version come to life in his or her head. All of the intimacy, heavy guitar reverb, smoky vocals, and snares kissed by brushes that fans have come to expect are here, rolling in like a harmless summer rain dressed in the dark clouds of a storm. The only exception, an awkward hip-hop version of Lennon's "I Don't Want to Be a Soldier," featuring a rap by Kevin Bond (aka Rebel), is so out of place that it's almost refreshing, rounding out a collection of reliable late-night jams that will appeal to the choir, but not the whole church.

tags: cowboy junkies, early 21st century blues, 2005, flac,

January 28, 2022

Àngela Winbush - Sharp (1987)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Pop, R&B
Label Number: 832733-2Q1

© 1987 Mercury Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: angela winbush, sharp, 1987, flac,

Àngela Winbush - The Real Thing (1989)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Pop, R&B
Label Number: 838 866-2

© 1989 Mercury Records
In the late 1980s, thin-voiced females who couldn't sing were quite prevalent in the urban contemporary arena. But thankfully, singers like Meli'sa MorganVesta Williams and Angela Winbush were around to remind us that big-voiced belters still had a place in R&B. Originally part of the duo Rene & AngelaWinbush went solo in 1987 and formed a lucrative partnership with husband-to-be Ronald IsleyWinbush's input proved beneficial on the Isley Brothers' albums, and vice versa. Although Winbush (whose emotive singing is along the lines of Chaka Khan and Alicia Myers) does all of the composing, producing and arranging on her second solo album, The Real ThingIsley serves as executive producer. And his influence is very noticeable on the electro-funk of "No More Tears" and "It's the Real Thing," as well as softer, more relaxed cuts like "Please Bring Your Love Back," "Precious" and "Menage A Trois" (which isn't an ode to kinky sex, but a call for monogamy and fidelity). For all its slickness and high-tech production gloss, this is an album with plenty of soul and grit.

tags: angela winbush, the real thing, 1989, flac,

Àngela Winbush - Àngela Winbush (1994)

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: R&B
Label Number: 61591-2

© 1994 Elektra
Angela Winbush has seductive, entrancing tracks like "Treat U Rite," "Keep Turning Me On," and "Hot Summer Love." A singer's singer, Winbush's intense, sinewy vocalizing can turn the most mundane arrangement into the sweetest ear candy. The only disappointment is her ballyhooed remake of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)."

tags: angela winbush, angela winbush album, 1994, flac,

Puggy - Something You Might Like (2010)

Country: Belgium
Language: English
Genre: Pop Rock
Label Number: 532 775 6

© 2010 Casablanca
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: puggy, something you might like, 2010, flac,

Bewitched - Pentagram Prayer (1997)

Country: Sweden
Language: English
Genre: Thrash Metal
Label Number: OPCD 057

© 1997 Osmose Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: bewitched, pentagram prayer, 1997, flac,

Sear Bliss - The Haunting (1998) ☠

Country: Hungary
Language: English
Genre: Black Metal
Label Number: TM 1205 2
☠: Selected by Buccaneer
© 1998 II Moons
*No professional reviews are available for this release.

tags: sear bliss, the haunting, 1998, flac,

Dawn Penn - No, No, No (1994)

Country: Jamaica
Language: Jamaican Patois, English
Genre: Reggae, Reggae Pop
Label Number: 92365-2

© 1994 Big Beat
Imagine how R&B fans would have felt if, in the early 1990s, 1960s soul goddess Carla Thomas had come out of retirement to return to the charts with a hip-hop influenced remake of one of the Stax smashes she was famous for. Unfortunately, that didn't really happen, but something comparable did happen in reggae in the early 1990s, when Dawn Penn (who had left the music industry in 1970) returned to the charts with a remake of her 1960s smash "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)." Thankfully, Penn's voice has held up well over the years, and she's in generally good form on 1994's No, No, No, her first full-length album after her comeback. Though the production of Sly DunbarSteely & Clevie, and others is slick and high tech, and some of the material has a strong urban contemporary flavor -- especially "I'll Do It Again" and "Samfi Boy" -- much of the CD recalls the type of rocksteady style that Penn was known for in the 1960s. To be sure, "The First Cut Is the Deepest," "Keep in Touch," and a cover of Smokey Robinson's "I Want a Love I Can See" are a lot slicker, glossier, and more produced than Penn's Studio One recordings of the late 1960s. But the rocksteady influence is prominent nonetheless. Although No, No, No isn't as strong as it could have been, it's a respectable, decent effort, and it certainly is nice to see Penn recording again after so many years.

tags: dawn penn, no no no, 1994, flac,

Imani Coppola - Chupacabra (1997) ☠

Country: U.S.A.
Genre: R&B, Hip-Hop
Style: Pop Rap
Label Number: COL 488660 2
☠; Selected by Lass
© 1997 Columbia Records
The debut album by Imani Coppola is a strong, confident pop album that never found its niche in the mainstream. Although boosted by the success of "Legend of a Cowgirl" and her exposure on Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour, the album was overlooked in a summer filled with successful female pop musicians. This is too bad because Coppola explodes with charm and talent on the 11 tracks that make up Chupacabra. The frantic rhythms mesh nicely with her rich voice on tracks like "I'm a Tree" and "Soon (I Like It)" while her personality shines through on the pleasantly egotistical "It's All About Me, Me, and Me" and on the Donovan-sampled "Legend of a Cowgirl." Even ballads like "Pigeon Penelope" are beautiful affairs that stay far away from the whispering acoustic affairs that her contemporaries are known for. Coppola left the mainstream recording industry after a failed attempt at a second album, making this even more of a lost treasure. Fans of funky, energetic female pop will want to find this album -- they will not be disappointed.

tags: imani coppola, chupacabra, 1997, flac,