Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fuzz Manta (2013) -The Stonewolf



Artist:  Fuzz Manta
Albums: The Stonewolf
Released:  2013
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 145 MB

”It is an understatement that the new album from Danish band Fuzz Manta is captivating! After several listenings after “The Stonewolf” I can only congratulate the quartet have matured and knew refine his compositions that combine sounds big heavy rock, psychedelic atmo-spheres and especially beautiful vintage flights truly original. I think the group has reached a new milestone with this fourth LP since their last album “Vortex Memplex” including the production of its centerpiece: the title – “The Stonewolf”, a piece of more than 34 minutes agglomerates several subsets to prog / retro rock / heavy psych and kraut in a cheerful tone swarming maelstrom of creativity and groove. There is also all boosted energy on tracks like “My Baby in Vain” or “Mind Reader” on which the riffs and the voice of Freddy Lene still do wonders. Highly recommended!”  -  (c)




Monday, September 16, 2013

Left Lane Cruiser (2013) -Rock Them Back To Hell



Albums: Rock Them Back To Hell
Release date:  2013
Quality:  mp3 CBR 320  
Size:  100 MB

“Freddy J. IV and Brenn Beck of Indiana’s roots rock and hillbilly blues duo Left Lane Cruiser are back with a follow-up to their 2011 release “Junkyard Speed Ball,” titled “Rock Them Back to Hell!” Still on Alive Records, this brand new full-length by Left Lane Cruiser consists of ten original songs of rousing sonic mastery. With Brenn’s dynamic drumming on his kit, along with the peculiar clank n’ bang of his occasional trash percussion, and with Freddy’s wildly nimble finger-pickin’ and dirty note progressions on his guitar, and of course his smoky, boozy stream of dirty-throated vocals, they especially rock the hell out of you on this one.” REAF THE FULL REVIEW



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

TRACK OF THE DAY - Janis Joplin


Various Artists (1990, 1992, 1995) -Alligator Stomp Vol.1-5: Cajun & Zydeco



Artist: various
Albums: Alligator Stomp Vol. 1-5
Release date:  1990-1995
Quality:  mp3 CBR 320  
Size:  108 / 117 / 148 /118 /133 MB

“Alligator Stomp is a stellar collection of zydeco, featuring stars and lesser-known musicians. The disc is filled with great, rollicking music -- there simply isn't a weak moment on the disc, and it provides an excellent introduction to one of America's most distinctive musics.” ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

” If you're exploring the pleasures of Louisiana's zydeco and Cajun music, one of the best starting points is Rhino's excellent Alligator Stomp series of the 1990s. Vol. 2's main flaw is its failure to list recording dates -- even if Rhino couldn't find exact recording dates for all of its 18 songs, couldn't the label have at least given the years or approximate years? But the sound quality is fine, Mary Katherine Alden's liner notes are informative, and Rhino's selections are excellent. For high-energy zydeco, it's hard to go wrong with Queen Ida ("My Girl Josephine"), Buckwheat Zydeco ("Zydeco Boogaloo") or the late Clifton Chenier ("Choo Choo Ch-Boogie," "Mama Told Papa"). And for traditional Cajun music, listeners won't be disappointed by Iry LeJeune's "Evangeline Special," the Balfa Brothers' version of the familiar "Jolie Blond" or Jo-El Sonnier's hit remake of "Jambalaya," which was originally a hit for country legend Hank Williams, but has become a Cajun standard. Spanning the '40s to the '80s, this gem-laden CD shouldn't be missed.” ~ Alex Henderson

“The response to Alligator Stomp's first two volumes was so favorable that in 1992, Rhino gave us Volume 3 of the fine series. Regrettably, the CD (which runs from the 1960s to the 1980s) doesn't list either exact or appropriate recording dates. But the sound quality, detailed essay by Chuck Taggart and choice of material aren't anything to complain about. The CD illustrates are the differences between zydeco and traditional Cajun music. While Eddie LeJeune's version of "La Valse de Pont D'Amour," the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band's arrangement of "High Point Two-Step" and Lawrence "Black" Ardoin's interpretation of "You Used To Call Me" are examples of Cajun traditionalism, gems by Buckwheat Zydeco ("Hot Tamale Baby"), Clifton Chenier ("S'Mappel Fou") and his son C.J. Chenier ("My Baby Don't Wear No Shoes") show us exactly what zydeco is -- Cajun music combined with R&B/soul, blues and Creole music. When French-speaking African-Americans with Creole heritage were influenced by French-speaking Cajun-Americans with Anglo-French heritage, the potent result was zydeco. And when one plays this disc, the richness of those cultures comes alive in a major way.” ~ Alex Henderson

“If you're throwin' a Yule dance party, there isn't a better seasonal collection that features two-steps and waltzes. Of the 17 tracks, 15 were licensed from THE Cajun label, Swallow Records. Beausoleil recorded two songs especially for this compilation, the original "Christmas Bayou" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," performed as an instrumental Cajun waltz. Four tracks are drawn from Beausoleil's fiddler/singer/leader Michael Doucet's Swallow Christmas Bayou CD, including this CD's closer, "Auld Lang Syne," which starts out traditionally slow before finishing off as a spirited two-step. Other highlights include Belton Richard's versions of "Blue Christmas" and "Please Come Home for Christmas," both sung in Cajun French: Richard's mournful vocals and the accompanying steel guitar give both songs added depth. Caveat emptor: if you hate accordions, fiddles, or just having a good time, do not buy this CD.” ~ Dennis MacDonald

“Alligator Stomp, Vol. 5 Cajun & Zydeco: the Next Generation showcases the best artists from the contemporary Cajun and zydeco scenes, including Terrance Simien, Wayne Toups, and David Doucet. Tracks from acts popular with the mainstream, such as Beausoleil's "Zydeco X," Jimmy Breaux' "Perrodin Two-Step," and Clifton Chenier's "My Baby Don't Wear No Shoes," mix with performances from newer artists and purists' favorites like Tasso's "Mon 'Tee Canaille (My Little Sly One)," Bruce Daigrepont's "Mains du Bon Dieu (The Hands of God)," and Robert Jardell's "Waltz of the Broken Family." Balfa Toujours, the Basin Brothers, Zydeco Force, and John Delafose & the Eunice Playboys round out this sampler of Cajun and zydeco music, making it a fine introduction to -- or a welcome reminder of -- the pleasures of both of these vibrant styles. “ ~ Heather Phares