Best Of NG La Banda, The - Ng La Banda

Advantages: Catchy Tunes and "Bad Luck Sammie"
Disadvantages: VERY hard to find!!!!

...I took me months to find this album! I’d heard a song called “Bad Luck Sammie” and it was so catchy I’d spent months singing it, so I decided that I HAD to buy the album. Easier said than done. Banda Macho was The Figgs second album (the first being “Low Fi at Society High”) and it was released on Capitol Records. As Capitol is a major a major label, I thought it would be easy to track down! As my local indie record store claimed it didn’t exist I ended up searching second hand US websites and eventually found it for the princely sum of $3! The Figgs are Mike Gent (guitar, vocals), Pete Donnelly (bass), Guy Lyons (lead guitar) and Pete Hayes (drums). They play a kind of summery punk/pop although with the emphasis firmly on pop. Think a cross between Green Day and Soul Asylum with a bit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A few really good tracks, some De La Soul tunes you have never heard before
Disadvantages: The album has no flow, a few weak remixes

...some of De La Soul's more successful tracks, remixes, and live performances. Rhino is giving you a chance to relive the classics and get a fresh impression with some tight remixes. De La Mix Tape is probably not the best disk for a first time listener of De La Soul. There is no ebb and flow to the album. This release is aimed more for the established fan but heck; a new listener might dig it too. What do I know, I am just a critic. DJ, spin that record! Stakes is High (Remixed) 4:49~ Mos Def (fun fact #2) and Truth Enola works with Detroit producer Jay Dee to rework the 1996 release. This version is more rugged than the original with Mos and Enola laying vocals over Dee's samplings. I am not going to tell you this one is better than that one but both are outstanding on their own. Dee put together a wicked remix and Mos and Enola... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Beautifully textured, warm solo piano from a unique and incomparable artist
Disadvantages: It lasts but 40 minutes... I could easily listen to another 40 more!

...' more straightforward keyboard works. Even those who enjoy Bill Evans might be worth seeking out a copy. Overall, La Bella Vista is a deliciously textured, warm, entrancing, subtle and finally beautiful album. Best listened to at night, or when in a contemplative mood, but then that's my opinion. Admittedly it's not a radical or revolutionary album and I don't think it's going to change anyone's life, but then I think any such claims are nonsense. Still, it might just get you running out to buy many more Budd albums. If anyone is interested in investigating this unique, elegant and to my mind necessary musician then avoid Amazon as it's more expensive that Play, who have La Bella Vista for a reasonable £11.99, though if you search about a bit you might find it a little cheaper. Final note: not sure why, but for some reason... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful