Champion In The Arena 1976-1977 - Jackie Mittoo

Advantages: Perfect summer day's album
Disadvantages: not really winter listening

...Jackie Mittoo is perhaps not as well known as he should be. Perhaps this reissue will help people remember. Prominent in the rocksteady and burgeoning ska scene in Kingston in the 60s, he became the inhouse producer and arranger at Studio One. On this compilation, he shows the funkiness and louche coolness of his keyboard playing. You can feel the sheer dopeness of his attitude throughout. The instrumentation is assurred and funky but never too showy, giving an impression of relaxed contentment. You just feel that you are in some hot, humid (but not oppressive) summery environment, watching the boats leave the harbour in Montego Bay or lounging on the balcony at a bijoux Notting Hill or Brighton appartment Mittoo doesn't have make the listenere realise he has style, it is just too plainly obvious. He ain't too bad at singing either... Read review

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Advantages: deep
Disadvantages: need to be keen to listen

...A reliving of the second world war thought the eyes the Polish. Written in 1976 and dedicated to his wife, Henry Goreckis third symphoney was first performed in April 1977. Yet it has only had acclaim in recent years. It is a three part story of war. The first movement is dominated at the centre by a setting of the 15th cnetruy polish prayer known as the Holy Cross Lament. It is an amzing display of reversed cannons in the strings, beginning and ending with the double basses. It is only interupted a short time by the fabulous voice of Dawn upshaw and, for that magic moment, the piano strikes almost mystically. The second movement describes the prayer that was incscibed on wall 3 of cell 3 in the basement of the "Palace" - the Gestapos headquarter in Zakopane. Beneath is the signature of Helena Wanda Blazusiakowna and the words 18... Read review

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Advantages: A timeless album
Disadvantages: Too short

...Hailed by many as the definitive punk album, The Clash, is awesome. The perfect punk album, whith just a slight hint of reggae thrown in. Most of the songs on the album only last about two minutes, but what the album lack in length it really makes up for in quality. It was originally released in the U.K in 1977, but was not released in America until 1979, albeit with a slightly different playlist. The Clash were formed in 1976 and consist of Joe Strummer, formely with the 101'ers on guitar and vocals, Mick Jones on guitar and Paul Simonon on bass guitar. On this album Terry Chimes played drums but had alreaded left the band before recording, but came back to record the album, before being replaced by Topper Headon. Standout tracks on the album include "White Riot", "Career Opportunities" and a cover of the reggae hit "Police and thieves".... Read review

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