Articles about the Reggae

Listen to anything remotely resembling pop music these days and you will always find a trace of the formulaic about it. If nothing else, the 21st century has refined pop music into something of a formulaic commodity. Mind you, there are some would argue Mickey Most was doing the same thing back in 1973...

Santogold's debut does contain some ambitions to meet some kind of blueprint. Upon first hearing I found it utterly generic - a record in search of a hit, if you like. The sound is clean and somewhat calculated.

Then after a few plays the thing reveals something of a little more substance. This may be slightly formulaic, ticking the electro-indie pop of "LES Girls" to the bouncy thrash pop of "Say Aha" or the elctro funk of "Creator" (which has a whiff of M.I.A.) about it. Suddely it starts to assert some individuality. Not something which instanly grabs you by the throat, yet turns out to be pretty satisfying.

This is a modern pop album, shifting through the genres gently morphing into some its interesting peers. After a few plays the record does reveal its better nature. Worth giving it the time to grow - not something we do in this modern age. This is one formula that is good.

Brilliant artist,superb songs, awful remaster.This has took all the raw sound out of this mans music.If you listen to the originals there is no comparison.Messing about with tracks either works or it does not,this is the latter.

I'd been really looking forward to this release, unfortunately I have to say it's the worst of Damon Albarn's career.

I was equally disappointed with the opera itself, which I saw last weekend. A few parts were very very good, but on the whole it's really dull.

I've been a fan of Roots Manuva for a while but it only took me one listen to be sure this is the best thing he's ever done. It hasn't been off my stereo since. If you like hip-hop you need this record.

After hearing about this group through friends I had to check them out - a few expensive downloads later I had tickets to their concert and I haven't looked back since. This is a fantastic album from track one right through to the end.

Smooth lyrics, matched to even smoother basslines, piercing horn sections and samples adding that extra something. If you get the chance see them live, if you don't get this album. And if you like it, even just a little bit, explore some of the other brilliant music coming out of New Zealand.

After the trilogy of Friends albums Jools returned with an album where the style and tone of the music was more suited to the big band sound of his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. I was hoping he reverted to being the main singer but he shares the vocal duties with his regular female vocalists Sam Brown and Ruby Turner with a star turn by Beverly Turner and two with Solomon Burke including his greatest creation `Everybody Needs Somebody to Love'.

I think the album works best with the arrangement of the instrumental numbers and the songs which Jools sings but some of the guest vocalists are given sympathetic arrangements particularly Ruby Turners ambitious take on Dylan's `Blowin' in the Wind'.
Not a total return to form but still a worthwhile entry in the Holland cannon which was beginning to appear tired with the Friends albums coming out with seemingly the only reason to pay to keep an eighteen piece big band on the road.

The Specials Singles is just that containing at least the a-sides of the 45's of one the greatest bands of all time. Opening with one of the strongest debut single of all time `Gangsters' it moves through double `a' side `Rudi, a Message to You' and `Nite Klub' to the first side of there live EP `Too Much Too Young' and the Skatalite inspired `Guns of Navarone'.

Stand alone single `Rat Race' is next before we move into less comfortable territory with double `a' `Stereotype' b/w `International Jet Set' and then `Do Nothing'. The magnificent `Ghost Town' is next together with both of its equally good b-sides `Why?' and `Friday Night, Saturday Morning'.

The quality drops as Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding leave to form Fun Boy Three and The Special AKA give us a poor `War Crimes' and `Racist Friend' . The temperature rises again with the fantastic `Nelson Mandela' but it's too late to save the band and `Girlfriend' leaves the album, and indeed the band, with a disappointing ending. Hopefully now the full band is reforming The Specials will be given the coda they deserve.

This is my favourite of the 2 Specials albums. 'More Specials' is quirkier, but this is equally fun and more up-tempo. I love to leap around to this record at every oportunity, (much to the annoyance of my neighbours). I could wiffle on about all of the profound lyrics and such and Terry Hall's deadpan style, but once you buy this record then you will find out for yourself. Suffice to say that this record is well worth getting for your collection. If you like that 2 tone sound, then it really doesn't get any better than this. And at this price it is a steal!!!!

this was a big favourite of mine, growing up in the 80's and early 90's. this album is by far the best reggae collection of ub40's. i also bought the ub40 dvd which has a few others which do not feature on the collection. if you want relaxing, soul trippin music this summer, then i suggest this album. totally superb.

this is a must for anyone who not only likes ub40 but enjoyed the 80's and its music.