MERCROMINA
Bingo
Three quarters of the Surfin' Bichos are back with their third record. There are traces of their previous work to be found here, but having said that, they've come up with something new. Heavy on the atmospherics, a dash of pyscodaelia: this bunch from Albacete bring back memories of great old Flyod albums with the one-word titles. This is basically down to the instrumentalisation they've chosen this time round. The three part instrumental "Ninguna parte" deserves a special mention. Of those with vocals there's the Planetas/Enemigos-ish "Chaqueta de pana" and also "El buzo". This last one was clearly written for guest singer Estrella Roman of Cecilia Ann. The title of the rrecord neatly sums it up; Mercromina have got it right once again.
JILL SCOTT
Experience 826+
This is a double album made up of a Jill Scott concert and some new studio recordings. You don't see a band releasing a live record as their second album. Even though the live recording is based on their first LP, "Who is Jill Scott? words and sounds VOL.1", the songs really come across differently when performed live. Miss Scott strongly stakes her claim as a Soul Diva on this one. Her rapport with the crowd makes this a very special concert. Check out "Slowly surely". Here we have the warmth of a really great band on one of those special nights when it all comes together instaed of the meticulously chosen sound that hallmarks their debut. As mentioned above, the second CD offers us their latest studio work. You'll come across a version of 4Hero's wonderfully creamy "another day (gotta get up)".
FATBOY SLIM
Live on Brighton Beach
Here we have the spiritual father of most DJs in his natural surroundings. Those who frequent the Boutique Club in Brighton have plenty of opportunities to see Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) spinning discs. This record, albeit nothing to write home about, is a different ball game altogether. The aim is to get people up and moving and there are very few around as good at that as Mister Cook. Having buried Break Beat once and for all, House, which has weathered time much better, is the star of the show. Slim is merciless in his desire to get bodies pumping. Underworld's "Born Slippy" gets the ball rolling and he gets people going apeshit with chant of "Put your hands up in the air". As is to be expected, Fatboy's own stuff is awarded a special place on the record ( "Star 69", "Right here, Right Now", "Bird of Prey"). This is a good session.
TANYA DONELLY
Beauty Sleep
The second solo album from one of the founding members of Throwing Muses. Her first release, the excellent “Love songs for Underdogs”, didn't get as far as it should have. You didn't have to be a Breeders or Throwing Muses fan to listen to it. All it was was a bunch of songs made for loving. Five years down the road and Tayna Donelly is not the same as before. To start off with, she's now a mother. All the same, the effects motherhood normally has on a musician; more reflection in the songs, the concept of warmth and protection in the way the songs are written or in the way they sound, are not present on the new record by this Bostonian song-writer. “Beauty Sleep” is special from the opening track, “Life is but a dream”, dark and complex. “Moonbeam Monkey”, co-written with the memorable Mark Sandman of Morphine, on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful moments on the record.
