Fayrfax: (The) Five Masses

Advantages: Refreshingly Different
Disadvantages: None

...Don't be put off by the title Missa Luba 'An African Mass' or think that it's 'too high-brow'! Missa Luba is a wonderful example of African rhythms and percussive instrumentation - drums and shaken gourds - with traditional African 'call and response' melodies together with additional harmonies. Based on the traditional Mass the work consists of just five tracks - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei - and is just over fifteen minutes long. The remainder of the recording consists of 10 Kenyan Folk Melodies. These too are as wonderful and refreshing as the Missa Luba . Ideal for the 'serious' listener, as background music or for those who wish to listen to something a little different. Go on. Give it a try; you will be glad you did. After all you have nothing to loose but much enjoyment to be gained. This is my first review... Read review

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Advantages: Simply stunning music
Disadvantages: None that I hear

...--John Taverner-- Taverner was born about 1490 in Lincolnshire, England, and died not far from his birthplace 55 years later. He studied at Oxford, in the college founded by Wolsey, later re-christened Christ Church by Henry VIII. There is some controversy in the details of Taverner's religious life during the stormy period of Reformation and Counter-Reformation in England. Taverner is reported to have given up composition during this period, but again musicologists are not certain that pieces attributed to earlier years may have in fact come as late as the 1530s. Taverner was a leading musical figure in his time, a time when musical styles were changing rapidly. --Western Wind Masses-- These are unique pieces - these are the only masses in English composition based on a secular tune. There are several `Western Wynde' masses... Read review

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Advantages: Solid tracks through out with some real gems
Disadvantages: Too short

...Razorlight have made a bold move with their second album. Only twelve tracks and thirty five minutes long this is a record that does not out outstay its welcome. It is not a Johnny Borrell album, it is a recording of a well oiled band playing together, and playing perfectly crafted and subtly exquisite songs together. This is my album of the year because it has done away with filler and over-production. Borrel's vocals are real, a vocal only moment in 'Los Angeles Waltz' is a real tingler. 'Razorlight' is fresh, honest, suprisingly unpretentious and as a modern pop/rock album it touches perfection Great album with not a bum track .This is a more polished album than Up all Night and will have it's purist detractors claiming they've sold out - but hey - it's just music - and I must have played it 100 times without tiring of it. Well... Read review

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