Draughtsman's Contract, The [Remastered] - Michael Nyman Band (The)

Advantages: Almost abjectly gorgeous
Disadvantages: To some, cleverness for its own sake

.... Musically, he is more confident than on Liberation, which occasionally flavoured/diluted the chamber pop with more conventional synth outings. Here, it's nothing but drum, bass, acoustic guitar, string quartet, piano and reeds (the latter supplied by a man who would massively shape the next few DC albums; Joby Talbot). The most glaring outside influence on the record is the composer Michael Nyman; an influence so laughably blatant that Hannon sent him a copy with a jokey note requesting that he didn't sue. (Presumably with some success; they ended up collaborating). Nyman's classical chamber music was best known at the time as the soundtrack to several visually ravishing but fundamentally unwatchable Peter Greenaway films, as well as the score to Jane Campion's "The Piano". And it's on that instrument that Nyman's style is most easily... Read review

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Advantages: Some stonking 70's hit singles
Disadvantages: B sides are a little ropey soundwise

...Sheperd and the double drumming attack of Pete Phipps and Tony Leonard. Whilst not the only band with two drummers (and Adam & The Ants would later take up the mantle in the early 80's) it did give them a distinctive sound and put down the rythym track for lots of big, brassy Boys Own type of songs, though laced with some wistful lyrics provided mostly by Shepherd but also bassist John Springate. Roping in Glitter's old producer Michael Leander was a sharp move as it gave the sound its continuity, and teamed with the brass section of John Rossall and Harvey Ellison they proceeded to storm the charts from 1974 to 1976. Opening the album is the top 5 smash hit Angel Face with its military style drumbeat and heavy fuzz guitar. This has a really cool break just before the last chorus where the drums pause for a halfbeat before... Read review

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Advantages: Is one of Jacko's best !
Disadvantages: Not sure what the difference is between this and the un-remastered version!

...Michael Jackson is a singer, songwriter, dancer and celebrity icon with a vast catalog of hit records and countless awards to his credit. Beyond that, he has transfixed the world like few entertainers before or since. As a solo performer, he has enjoyed a level of superstardom previously known only to Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra. This is one of Michael Jackson's best albums. It sold 29million copies around the world so far outselling previous achievments of Bad (28 million). This album I enjoy listening to. It contains one of my favourite songs ever... Black or White. Track Listings are as follows: Jam; Great up-beat song. Makes me want to dance! Why You Wanna Trip On Me; very much like the rest of the tracks on this album. great! In The Closet; She Drives Me Wild; Remeber The Time; one of MJ's Greatest Hits... Read review

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