VA - Next Stop Soweto Vol 1 (Strut 2010)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. I Sivenoe - Amaqola

2. Maphuthi - Mgababa Queens

3. Kuya Hanjwa - S. Piliso & His Super Seven

4. Wenzani Umoya - Big Four (The)

5. Umkhovu - Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens

6. Inkonjane Jive - Zed Nkabinde

7. Ingoina Le Nyathi - Intombi Zephepha

8. Take Off - Tempo All Stars

9. I'smodeni - Boy-Nze Na Maqueens

10. Zwe Kumusha - Mahotella

11. Emuva - African Swingsters

12. Umaduna Omnyama - Ibhekitshe Namajongosi

13. Mr. J.S. Mpanza - Lucky Strike Sisters

14. Sikhwele - Aba-Lilizeli

15. Soul Chakari - Reggie Msomi's Hollywood Jazz Band

16. Jabulani Balaleli, Pt. 2 - Amaqawe Omculo

17. Nomacala - Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens

18. 10 to 11 - Sammy Boy

19. Awufuni Ukulandela Na? - Izintombi Zasi Manje Manje

20. Happy Africa - Iza Wena

I get to procure items from all three of the Afro-centric record labels I have mentioned recently with this first volume of Strut's 'Next Stop Soweto series'. I already have volume three which is the best but this first volume of this South African black pop music, created during a time when the white government were trying to eradicate black musical expression, is a joy to the ears. South African music has its own unique characteristics that set it apart from the funk inspired beats of West Africa, that I love so much and the production and recording are also much more advanced thus making a very high quality set of recording even though some are quite old. 20 tracks of inspired South African pop of a high quality makes for a great listen from start to finish and if you like your African music more polished and jazzy than the primal Afro-funk I mostly listen too then get into this.Rating 4.5/5.

VA - Legends Of Benin (Analog Africa 2009)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. Dadje Von O Von Non - Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band

2. Feeling You Got - El Rego et Ses Commandos

3. Honton Soukpo Gnon - Antoine Dougbé

4. E Nan Mian Nuku - El Rego et Ses Commandos

5. Tin Lin Non - Honoré Avolonto & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo

6. Okpo Videa Bassouo - Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Panchos

7. Ya Mi Ton Gbo - Antoine Dougbe & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo

8. Nou Akuenon Hwlin Me Sin Koussio - Antoine Dougbé

9. Djobime - El Rego et Ses Commandos

10. Na Mi Do Gbé Hué Nu - Honoré Avolonto

11. Vimado Wingnan - El Rego et Ses Commandos

12. Dou Dagbé Wé - Honoré Avolonto & Black Santiago

13. Kovito Gbe De Towe - Antoine Dougbé

14. La Musica en Verité - Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band

Analog Africa's compilations of Afro centric funky rock are second to none along with Strut and Soundway Records and fortunately my favourite CD shop happens to stock quite a selection from all these labels. This one has been on my list to purchase for some time and although I did have a digital copy, I hadn't had the time to give it much attention. Listening to the new CD copy, I knew some of the tracks already but the rest are new to me and only after a couple of listens the Wow factor is firmly in place and Analog Africa has hit the jackpot again. A fantastic compilation and most worthy of a 5/5 rating.

The Funkees - Dancing Time (Soundway UK 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

The Funkees - Ole

The Funkees - Akpankoro

The Funkees - Onye Mmanya

The Funkees - Abraka

The Funkees - Point Of No Return

The Funkees - Akula Owu Onyeara

The Funkees - Acid Rock

The Funkees - Ogbu Achara

The Funkees - Slipping Into Darkness

The Funkees - Dancing Time

The Funkees - Baby I Need You

The Funkees - Break Through new dub

The Funkees - Life

The Funkees - Mimbo

The Funkees - 303

The Funkees - Dancing In The Nude

The Funkees - Salem

The Funkees - Dance With Me

Ahh! Time for some funky Afro-Rock again with another exciting release from the magnificent Soundway Records out of the UK. I first heard The Funkees on one of the play-lists on the Voodoo Funk Blog and their songs have turned up on several Afro-Funk and Rock compilations that I have, so I knew very well what I was getting into when I finally procured a copy from my local CD emporium. A compilation covering their short but seemingly prolific recording career in Nigeria back in the 70's this lot is an outstanding brace of deep African funk and groovy rock that just blows your mind. Essential listening and get my highly unequivocal rating of 5/5.

VA - UNZIPPING THE ABSTRACT LP (UK1980)

An Uncle Roddus Album review

1. Bathroom Renovations - Intensely Henned  (2:29)

2. Cajun Cutie - Black Man's (2:53)

3. Dislocation Dance - You can't beat history (2:29)

4. God's Gift - Creeps in (3:07)

5. If Only - If Only (4:13)

6. Outer Edge - Old Wive's Tales (3:31)

7. Performance - Natural Equilibrium (3:34)

8. The Enigma - Play with fire  (2:27)

9. The Hoax - World War III (3:17)

10. The Liggers - Pretty Girl (2:59)

11. The Mekon - Must have Wheels (3:19)

12. The Spurtz - Boyfriends or you money back (2:14)

13. The Still - 9.5 (2:13)

14. Undercovermen - Of no fixed abode (2:12)

15. Vibrant Thigh - Walking Away (3:33)

And here is another ultra rare post punk, jangle pop compilation from Manchester via the Mutant Sounds Blog. They have hundreds of these compilations on their blog and this one was rated as one of the best by the blog author. After several listens I must disagree, I found some of the very lofi songs here quite amateurish and uninspiring and I have preferred the other compilations I recently listened to above this one. There are some interesting tracks here and its not all bad but overall I am disappointed and will rate this set 2/5. 

Howlin Rain - The Russian Wilds (USA 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. Self Made Man (8:00)

2. Phantom In the Valley (7:17)

3. Can't Satisfy Me Now (6:19)

4. Cherokee Werewolf (5:26)

5. Strange Thunder (8:53)

6. Plex Reception (0:37)

7. Dark Side (5:18)

8. Beneath Wild Wings (4:16)

9. Collage (5:01)

10.Walking Through Stone (6:53)

11....Still Walking, Still Stone (3:09)

A frequent group on the Uncut CDs this latest album offers us some quite impressive 70s inspired classic rock with plentiful guitar pyrotechnics put to good effect in the longer songs and good vocal melodies. A very good album that does everything right and will no doubt appeal to most classic rock fans and although I enjoy it quit a bit, there is just something missing to push it into the must have album stakes and I do find it difficult to stay connected with it throughout its 60 minutes.Rating 3.5/5.

Montrose - Montrose (USA 1973)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

I was gonna include the review for this in my Uncut Take 180 post due to the fact that that issue included an obituary for Ronnie Montrose, who passed away earlier this year. When they talked about the first Montrose album, I had a vague inkling that I had heard of them and that I may even have had one of their albums hidden away on the hard drive. Sure enough, it turns out I have several Montrose albums all posted over at Rare MP3 .com and after hosting this on the Ipod for several days I have to agree that this is one of the best early hard rock albums I have heard. One of the first things that becomes so obvious right from the beginning of the first track is the Van Halen comparisons, and that's not just because Sammy  Hargar is the singer on this set. Ronnie's guitar and the production paved the way for the hard rock scene of the later 70s. The awesome guitar imitation of a souped up sounding vehicle on "Bad Motor Scooter" is classic Eddie Van Halen sounding and The opening riff on the excellent "Space Station #5 sounds very much like the opening riff of a certain Stiff Little Fingers number from several years in the future, before sliding into more Led Zeppelin  territory. You gotta like the lines"I gave love a chance and it shit back in my face..." from the barnstorming "I Don't Want it" which has parallels with ZZ Top from this period. Plenty of shallow good time lyrics here which suit the music well as this ain't about thinkin' but about having a rockin' good time. lots of fun and without any obvious weak songs gets a Roddus rating of 4.5/5

VA - A Manchester Collection (UK 1979)

An Uncle Roddus album review

A compilation album of the bands playing in the 'Manchester Musicians Collective' during 1979 at the Band on the Wall Club which still exists today.

GROW-UP - You are the one

GROW-UP - Night Rally

I.Q.ZERO - I'm in love

I.Q.ZERO - I must obey

FAST CARS - Why

FAST CARS - What can I do

MEDIATERS - Monotony

FIREPLACE - Fireplace

FIREPLACE - Dutchman

PICTURE CHORDS - First floor exercises

PICTURE CHORDS - Levitating Ladies

MANCHESTER MEKON - The cake shop device

PROPERTY OF.. - Property of...

VIBRANT THIGH - Wooden Gangsters

F.T.INDEX - Working on the line

SLIGHT SECONDS - Double face

SLIGHT SECONDS - New me

Yet another very obscure compilation of local lofi indie and post punk bands from the Mutant Sounds Blog and like some of the other comps of this very obscure music, the songs sound pretty underwhelming on first listen but after repeated plays as they become more familiar, they reveal them selves to be quite interesting  and enjoyable. Nothing here that will set the world on fire or any long lost classics of the genre but I do like this type of music and its quirky idiosyncraticacy. Rating 3/5 

Elephant Micah - louder Than Thou (USA 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. Tin Foil Continent (5:56)

2. Won These Wings (7:24)

3. My Cousin's King (4:28)

4. If I Were a Surfer (5:35)

5. Rooster on the Loose (6:47)

6. Airline Living (6:21)

This indie "band" were recently on one of the Uncut CDs and have been spoken of highly in Uncut on several occasions. This underground folk/lofi alternative music is painfully slow in places as we have some gentle vocals and improvised sounding guitar picking over backing rhythms. "My Cousin's King" is the song I was already familiar with and is a lovely semi acoustic pop ditty and the most accessible number here. Although the album is well constructed and has a nice Americana vibe about it, over the length of some of the longer tracks, the slowness and so laid backness of the tracks almost puts me to sleep. I can appreciate some of the superlatives used in relation to this music but it's not something that inspires me all that much. Rating 2.5/5

Jack White and Little Willie John

One of the best tracks on Jack White's new album, "Blunderbuss" is the wonderful cover of Little Willie John's "I'm Shakin". Jack does an excellent version with some wonderful  embellishments from his female backing singers and his guitar but stays fairly faithful to the original. A great effort from this modern master and the track I have been coming back to the most from this album. Check it out.

At first I didn't know that "I'm Shakin" was a cover(I rarely read my CD selves) but Uncut Magazine included the original Little Willie John version on their Jack White Covers CD and frankly it blows Jack's version off the planet and that's not an easy thing to do. Unbelievable. 

Dawes - Nothing is Wrong (USA 2011)

An Uncle Roddus Album review

1. Time Spent in Los Angeles (4:28)

2. If I Wanted Someone (4:39)

3. My Way Back Home (6:25)

4. Coming Back to a Man (3:51)

5. So Well (5:31)

6. How Far We've Come (2:59)

7. Fire Away (6:23)

8. Moon in the Water (3:54)

9. Million Dollar Bill (4:12)

10.The Way You Laugh (3:48)

11.A Little Bit of Everything (5:39)

12.Rest Easy (Bonus Track) (4:06)

13.Strangers Getting Stranger (Bonus Track) (4:19)

Another quick review so I can move on to something else. This second effort from this American indie pop  outfit from California leans some what towards Americana in places and is a fairly mellow and laid back affair and somewhat light weight. Kind of reminds me of a far inferior "Fire and Ashes", the latest Ryan Adams album that has so impressed me lately. I think it could be a grower if one is willing to give it more attention, but for me I feel unmoved by this and will move on to other music after rating it 2/5.

The Dirty Three - Towards The low Sun (Australia 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album review

1. Furnace Skies (4:43)

2. Sometimes I Forget You've Gone (3:49)

3. Moon On The Land (4:52)

4. Rising Below (5:47)

5. The Pier (4:53)

6. Rain Song (3:50)

7. That Was Was (4:01)

8. Ashen Snow (5:13)

9. You Greet Her Ghost (4:49)

A recent release that was highlighted in a recent Uncut magazine with a full page review and given a rating of 8/10. I just can't get into this album at all. There is very little in the way of melody on any of these tracks and they never seem to go any where. Kind of like a Rock version of European jazz, quite experimental and not really easy listening. That doesn't mean that music like that is all bad but this particular one does nothing for me. Rating 1/5.

Beth Jeans Houghton and The Hooves Of Destiny - Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. Sweet Tooth Bird (2:10)

2. Humble Digs (2:53)

3. Dodecahedron (3:14)

4. Atlas (4:06)

5. Nightswimmer (3:42)

6. The Barely Skinny Bone Tree (4:01)

7. Liliputt (4:07)

8. Veins (2:55)

9. Franklin Benedict (3:18)

10.Carousel (2:37)

11.Harlequin (2:09)

12.Prick AKA Sean (0:51)

Another debut album reviewed positively in Uncut and also included one of their songs on a recent Uncut CD. A well constructed debut with plenty of well crated indie pop cum chamber pop tracks. I found myself loosing interest though with Beth's high falsetto not really my scene and although I appreciate the quality of their art I am not much inspired by it. My rating 2.5/5

Cotton Mather - Kontiki (Delux Edition) (USA 1997/ 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

1. Camp Hill Rail Operator (3:21)

2. Homefornt Cameo (3:10)

3. Spin My Wheels (3:28)

4. My Before and After (2:53)

5. Private Ruth (3:03)

6. Vegetable Row (5:01)

7. Aurora Bori Alice (2:37)

8. Church of Wilson (2:00)

9. Lily Dreams On (2:47)

10.Password (3:12)

11.Animal Show Drinking Song (1:16)

12.Prophecy for the Golden Age (0:55)

13.She's Only Cool (2:30)

14.Autumn's Birds (3:37)

15.Homefront Cameo (4 Track) (3:12)

16.Pine Box Builder #1 (2:40)

17.Camp Hill Rail Operator (Acoustic) (2:41)

18.Little Star (5:33)

19.Baby Freeze Queen #1 (1:18)

20.Altar Boy (Live at the Hit Shack) (2:41)

21.Flying Annie's Kite (3:06)

22.Innocent Street (Acoustic) (3:10)

23.Spin My Wheels (Electric) (3:31)

24.Church of Wilson (4 Track) (1:51)

25.Private Ruth (Acoustic) (2:30)

26.The Gold Gone Days (2:37)

I was rather impressed with "My Before and After" which I discovered on one of the very early Uncut compilations and so managed to track down this recently reissued deluxe 2 CD version of their original 1997 second album. The first thing that just keeps kicking me in the face on this album is the singer's uncanny vocal resemblance to John Lennon and some of the vocal harmonies are  therefore also very Beatlesque. A collection of well crafter powerpop songs with plenty here to keep discovering and one interested over repeated listens, although not as instantly catchy as the Beatles were. I have enjoyed this set but don't find it compelling enough to actually want to buy it myself. Rating 3/5. 

Beirut - The Rip Tide (USA 2011)

An Uncle Roddus album review

1. A Candle's Fire (3:19)

2. Santa Fe (4:14)

3. East Harlem (3:58)

4. Goshen (3:20)

5. Payne's Bay (3:48)

6. The Rip Tide (4:26)

7. Vagabond (3:18)

8. The Peacock (2:26)

9. Port of Call (4:20)

A very quick review of this recent release I read about in Uncut and I thought I'd check it out as I had heard their last album back in 07'. A quick review because I want to move on to other music as this melodic indie pop really isn't doing any thing for me and although these guys are good and the music is quite good, I don't really enjoy it, so my rating is only 2/5.

Battles - Gloss Drop (USA 2011)

An Uncle Roddus album review

1. Africastle (5:48)

2. Ice Cream (Featuring Matias Aguayo) (4:36)

3. Futura (6:17)

4. Inchworm (4:52)

5. Wall Streeet (9:03)

6. My Machines (Featuring Gary Numan) (3:55)

7. Dominican Fade (1:48)

8. Sweetie & Shag (Featuring Kazu Makino) (3:50)

9. Toddler (1:11)

10.Rolls Bayce (2:06)

11.White Electric (6:14)

12.Sundome (Featuring Yamantaka Eye) (7:47)

I had enjoyed the debut album by Battles back in 07' after reading a favourable review in Uncut magazine and after I discovered that this, only their second album, had been recently released I was eager to sample its  aural eccentricities. This new album of experimental quirky indie pop numbers doesn't disappoint and I am thoroughly enjoying the excellent creativity of the mostly instrumental music conceived by this talented and wonderful band. All sorts of music have been incorporated into these ditties to coalesce into a unique sound. Most enjoyable. Rating 4/5

VA - East Of Croydon (UK 1981)

An Uncle Roddus Album review

A1 Janet Armstrong Inadequate

A2 Heartbeats, The Funny Anymore

A3 Flips, The Schitzo

A4 Big Combo, The 21 Girls

A5 Local Heroes SW9 Another Modern Romance

A6 Big Hair Over You

A7 Bobby Henry Next Move

B1 Calling Hearts In the Jungle

B2 Kan Kan Phone Call

B3 Sir James The Selection

B4 Spöön Fazer Fly on The wall

B5 A Circle Charmed Henrietta Missing

B6 Greenfield Leisure Leisure

B7 Normil Hawaiians Dark World

This very obscure early indie pop/post punk compilation was posted very early on over at Mutant Sounds blog and although I could't possibly rant and rave about the outstanding quality of the songs here as they do, I am finding after several listens on the ipod over the week that there is some strong material here and some of the songs are growing on me as I get more familiar with them. For a bunch of local groups supposedly all coming from around the same general geographical location and probably totally unknown outside of that area, there are some well crafted alternative pop songs happening here. There are some more amateur sounding numbers here reminding me of some of the local bands we use to see live here in NZ that never recorded, but overall after a few listens, this is an interesting and enjoyable compilation. Never heard of any of the bands at all before, of course. Rating 3.5/5 

Diabel Cissokho - Kanabory Siyama (Senegal 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

West African kora music on this very recent release and although it sounds like many other contemporary African albums I have heard, that is not a bad thing. A pleasant record with its complex multi instrumentation and makes wonderful soothing background music. On closer contemplation these is plenty here to keep one interested and the foot tapping. Not a record that is totally inspiring, so not something that I feel is essential to my collection probably because this is more traditional African music than the Afrofunk I usually listen to. Overall a nice album and I will rate it 3/5.

Technical Space Composers Crew - Canaxis 5 (Germany 1969)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

Boat-Woman-Song 17:40

Canaxis 20:21

Mellow Out 2:12

Getting back to some of the very early posts from the formidable Mutant Sounds Blog with this very early ambient sounding collaboration from Can's Holger Czukay and some bloke named Rolf Dammers. "Boat Woman Song" is a very cool extended soundscape that sounds way ahead of its time with its electronic ambience combined with some indigenous sounding chants, I really like it. Canaxis is more of the same although I don't like it quite as much it is still quite cool. Music of this type can very easily end up a pointless boring drone but these two have managed to produce something unique, interesting and enjoyable. Believe me not too many others will agree with me.Rating 3.5/5

Kindness - World, You Need a Change of Mind (UK 2012)

An Uncle Roddus album review

1. SEOD (6:30)

2. Swingin' Party (3:57)

3. Anyone Can Fall in Love (4:22)

4. Gee Wiz (3:16)

5. Gee Up (1:52)

6. House (3:37)

7. That's Alright (4:46)

8. Cyan (4:27)

9. Bombastic (3:12)

10.Doigsong (5:04)

This down-tempo electronic pop was reviewed in Uncut a couple of issues back and as it was one of the few reviews to get 9/10 I thought I should check it out. There are some catchy numbers here but some others just get a bit to soppy for me. Overall today listening on the iPod I wasn't really captivated buy these songs but on the headphones tonight there is some worthwhile stuff here that sounds a bit better on closer inspection. Still not something I will want to spend much more time with.Rating 2.5/5

Julia Holter - Ekstasis (USA 2012)

An Uncle Roddus Album review

1. Marienbad (5:24)

2. Our Sorrows (6:16)

3. In the Same Room (3:58)

4. Boy In the Moon (8:19)

5. Für Felix (4:10)

6. Goddess Eyes II (6:23)

7. Moni Mon Amie (3:31)

8. Four Gardens (6:12)

9. Goddess Eyes I (3:40)

10.This is Ekstasis (8:54)

And another Uncut recommended recent release and another sample of  the high quality of so many recent releases. Uncut reviewed this with an 8/10 rating and put one of the songs on that issues CD. This is a very adventurous album from this angle voiced chanteuse, mixing atmospheric soundscapes and Electronica with ethereal pop and avant style compositional pieces. Starts off well with some creative and unusual tracks which I enjoy before it all gets a bit more ambient on the extended "Boy In The Moon". A very experimental album with several cool avant pop pieces like "Fur Felix". Some of the other longer tracks I start to lose interest in but I feel with more concentrated repeated listening they will become more rewarding. Something a little different, which is what good music is all about.Rating 3/5.