Shaznay Lewis - Open
(London Recordings)
This debut solo album from the former All Saint, definitely has a strong vibe carried over from her former band. This is perhaps to be expected, as she was their main song writer. Open should appeal to a similar audience of teenage girls and hip young things, as an equal mix of chilled out soul, and funky pop.
Unfortunately the first release, I never felt like this before, doesn't do the highlights of the album justice. It's the more upbeat tracks like `Mr Dawg' produced by Basement Jaxx, `Dance', and `Butterflies' that make the album worth buying. Sweet soulful tracks like `You' show how adaptable Shaznay's voice can be. All in all a very credible varied pop album, that will have a track for most peoples taste.
Tracy Richards
Dread Meets the B-Boys Downtown - Selected by DJ Don Letts
(Heavenly)
The origin of hiphop's clash with punk and reggae comes down to a period of two years in New York. This album is a compilation of the tracks that started the revolution back in New York between 1981-82.
DJ and Film Producer Don Letts was there at the time documenting the Clash's US tour of '81. The band and Letts both became aware of the new sound hitting the streets of New York. They were so impressed they got Grandmaster Flash to support them at some of their gigs.
This is an interesting historical document from the Heavenly label. Some of the tunes can sound a little dated due to the sophistication of modern production techniques, but all in all it will appeal to harcore hiphop fans and music historians alike. Tunes from the likes of Grandmaster Flash and the Mohawks, like a good pair of Adidas trainers, will never go out of style.
Roger Mean
Chilli Peppers
Live in Hyde Park
(WEA Records)
Having finally dragged myself down to see chilli peppers in hyde park (or rather having been dragged by a bunch of friends) I finally managed to see the only band I have really been wanting to see for the last 10 years. Having played the Bass guitar for a number of years now, I firmly consider Flea to be a god and the 'Chili's' to be one of the best bands in the world.
Such is the quality of the band that this cd acts as another greatest hits from their more recent few albums with some live oddities on ther also. With a lovely cover of B45 Grave's Black Cross a cheeky version of "I Feel Love" which im sure was only done because flea can play the originally electronic bass line. You may ask (as we did at the time) "What the hell was the trumpet solo all about?" if I knew I probably still wouldn't understand... A great album, i'm off to buy the DVD.
Tim Bates
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