Not Serious

Ten years Serious Black, ten years of melodic Power Metal, with the license to create anthems: Since their founding in 2014 the band enthuses their fans not only with five studio albums by now but also at concerts and festival appearances around the globe. The decadal birthday Serious Black celebrates now, releasing their latest output: On September 27th, 2024, "Rise Of Akhenaton", their meanwhile 6th full length album, will be released via AFM Records.
Serious Black stylistically went back to their roots, but at the same time, due to the modern production by Lochert und Bob Katsionis, "Rise Of Akhenaton" sounds more diversified than ever. The interim focus on progressive directives has now changed to more catchy arrangements. Anno 2024, straight, classic Power Metal - the style the band once got to be known for - reigns again.

Serious Business is not a funny album. More accurately, playing this album will not induce the brand of gut-busting, teary-eyed revelry that an episode of Chappelle’s Show or a YouTube clip of Anna Karkowska’s vibrato will. It is funny like the idea of a Rothko turning the stomachs of well-heeled gluttons at the Four Seasons is funny, or how anything Andy Kaufman ever suited up for is funny. It might be a little uncomfortable, rings clear in its truth, and sometimes reveals itself gradually.

He may be white and British but Dave Rodigan played a crucial role in spreading the word of British reggae.I recall his shows on Radio london (ignoring Tony Williams) and he educated me in things reggae.
This CD highlights some defining tracks which eventually bought about the term Lover's Rock.Anyone with a slight interest in reggae will recognise the likes of Ruddy Thomes,Horace Andy,Barry Biggs,The Tamlins and Louisa marks.All these artists deserved international hits with the tracks on offer here.Sadly,as always, reggae has not often attracted mainstream airplay unless the record has a gimmicky hook. This set also demonstrates how the likes of Dennis Bovell added British influences on reggae music production and then the likes of Sugar Minnott took them back to Jamaica.
A great choice of cuts and a great intro to Lover's Rock.