Latin+quarter

Where does one begin to praise this CD? The bitter-sweet lyrics, the brilliant intertwining of piano and guitar, the perfect vocal harmonies, the atmospheric texture, the magic of the melodies? "Bringing Rosa Home" is the sixth and strongest CD so far from the English band Latin Quarter. The richness of ideas of joint band- leaders Steve Skaith and Richard Wright is overwhelming, their musical taste undeniable. The twelve pop-songs on their new CD sound smooth and effortless almost as a matter of course. Like all really first-class things.

Modern Times is the first album by the British band Latin Quarter. It reached the top 20 in Germany and Sweden and spent two weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at Number 91. It includes the songs "Radio Africa" which reached Number 19 in the UK Singles Chart. and "America for Beginners" which was covered by Toyah on her album Minx.

With three studio albums to its credit and a bona fide hit with "Radio Africa" (from Latin Quarter's debut album, Modern Times), this politically minded worldly pop band decided to call it quits, leaving behind this compilation of oddities, rarities, unreleased demos, and re-recordings. For those looking for the hit, "Radio Africa" (album version) is here in all its splendor, but most of the remaining tracks are exclusive to this release. The ones that have been released elsewhere include the beautiful "The Colourscheme" (sung by Yona Dunsford), which was a B-side, and "The New Millionaires," which is the same version as the one on their debut.

Named after Latin Quarter's most popular song, Radio Africa compiles tracks from the group's three '80s albums – Modern Times, Mick and Caroline, and Swimming Against the Stream – none of which had yet appeared on CD when this collection was released in 1997. Latin Quarter's heavily political lyrics may not be understood by some, especially when the band's references are too obscure or forgotten in the passage of time. When the music is taken into focus, Radio Africa sounds best when the group strays from their folk-rock origins. The ghostly keyboards and woeful vocals of "No Rope As Long As Time," confronting apartheid and violence in South Africa with sadness and anger, hasn't lost its punch even when lyrics like "Nelson Mandela in the prison" make it outdated.

This CD exposes the listener to the various aspects of caribbean music and is a learning tool to discover what the various cultural influences from around the world have had on caribbean culture,and guess what?This CD is just the tip of the iceberg as far as caribbean music is concerned,because there are many more styles of caribbean music out there just waiting to be discovered.

Johnny Griffin - The Congregation (1957) {Blue Note RVG BN 62640 rel 2006}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 285 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 89 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 18 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2006 Blue Note / Capitol | 0946 3 62640 2 8
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

The great tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin is heard in top form on this near-classic quartet set. Assisted by pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Kenny Dennis, Griffin is exuberant on "The Congregation" (which is reminiscent of Horace Silver's "The Preacher"), thoughtful on the ballads, and swinging throughout. It's recommended for bop collectors.

The violent cover photo (which shows a man after he was shot dead) sets the stage for the rather passionate music on this John Zorn set. With guitarist Bill Frisell, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, bassist Fred Frith, drummer Joey Baron, and guest vocalist Yamatsuka Eye making intense contributions, altoist Zorn performs his unpredictable originals, abstract versions of some movie themes (including "A Shot in the Dark," "I Want to Live," "Chinatown," and "The James Bond Theme"), plus Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." The stimulating music rewards repeated listenings by more open-minded listeners.