21st Century Blues - Francis Monkman

Advantages: New Sound
Disadvantages: Not enough

...I must confess to not being a fan of the music my son enjoys, but this album is truly magnificent. The sampling of early 20th century blues combined with 21st century dance rhythms shows that this guy is a real genius. "Natural Blues" is easily my favourite song at the moment, but I can't think of any track on the album where I need to find the skip button, not something I can say for many albums I purchase! Moby told Jools Holland that the tracks were recorded in a bedroom in his New York apartment - I just wish more artists would spend time at home if this is the standard of work that they would produce.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some brillaint easy listening
Disadvantages: A few weak tracks

...I love Jamie Cullums voice and this is a showcase of this voice as was his first album. There are one or two tracks that I personally are not that fond of but that is the only down point of this album the other 13 tracks are superb and as always Jamie throws in a couple of covers including a brilliant version of Catch The Sun. Some of the lyrics I find myself really relating to such as photograph - a brilliant track which is all about memories stirred by photos. The lyrics will really make you smile and remember good times. 21st century kid is a brilliant track too and is a slant on what it means to grow up in the 21st century and has also has a brilliant chorus. A good album and very easy listening but I have to say I prefer twentysomething.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Aural textures to die for.
Disadvantages: The last track!

...Released soon after "Achtung Baby", this is a difficult album to like at first, but give it a chance to grow on you and you'll be rewarded ten-fold. The opening title track extends and grows (mutates?) into something extraordinary, "Lemon" grinds away insistently, "Babyface" is like some perverted love song, and only the tacky "The Wanderer" spoils things at the end (thank goodness for programmable CD players!) The whole feel of the album is like one gigantic, futuristic advertising jingle - with Bono singing out words and phrases to a background of musical textures created by the Edge. An L.P. for the 21st century.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful