gullbuy music review

March 22, 2006

Roots of Innovation: 15 and X Years On-U Sound

various artists
label:: On-U Sound

Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound label has been releasing interesting music since 1980. Even though this comp is subtitled 15 and X Years, it should really be 25 and X Years, as this compilation came out in 1996.

In the liner notes, 2 Badcard describe their song in a fashion that could be applied to all music on the label: "a combination of old time classics and miles ahead future sound."

Sibylle Baier

title:: Colour Green
label:: Orange Twin Records

Only five seconds into Sibylle Baier’s Colour Green you get that feeling that you’ve stumbled onto something very very special.

Devastatingly beautiful is a description I rarely use, if ever but I just can’t help it, it’s exactly that. It is so raw and so honest it hurts. It cuts through the speakers, nestles its way into your heart and stays there long after the album is over.

Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label

various artists
label:: Numero Group

The Numero Group continues its Eccentric Soul series this time spotlighting the Deep City label from Miami and its related Reid and Lloyd labels.

While much of the Deep City output was derivative of the mid 60s soul sound of the day, there is also some gorgeous, heartbreaking original material to be found here.

Explosivos

various artists
label:: Vampisoul

Vampi Soul has done it again with a superfine collection of late 60s Latin soul culled from the Tico, Fania, Cotique and Alegre labels all recorded between 1967 and 1970.

There are hints of psychedelic moments, but for the most part this is all about the Latin rhythms.

The Fall

itle:: Fall In A Hole
label:: Sanctuary

Fall In A Hole is all live material from The Fall's 1982 tour down under. The tour took the band to Australia and New Zealand but the material here is all kiwi shows.

The bonus CD is mostly unreleased material which is not from only the original release's Auckland show.

Isolee

title:: We Are Monster
label:: Playhouse

In 2000 Isolée (Rajko Müller) dropped the debut LP Rest on us. It was on a small label (Playhouse), but it made a big impact and gained a lot of respect.

In 2005 Isolée released the second record, We Are Monster.