From The Secret Laboratory - Lee "Scratch" Perry

Advantages: A total classic
Disadvantages: nothing

...It does not get much better than this. Back in 1967 lee perry and the upsetters were making and braking ground in jamica with their roots reggae. Perry is firmly at the controls on this release and everything really seems to just come together, the harmony singing, the heavy rumbling bass (i mean HEAVY) and rhythm. For anyone with any liking for dub reggae this is essential. Truly great piece of work. Lee perrys studio the black ark was burned down a number of years later but thankfully this seminal record really captures the great sound from the black ark for posterity. A sweet sweet record that hits all the right bottons with the only complaint being that it has quite a short playing time over the 10 tracks. Enjoy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: just a test and body movin'
Disadvantages: none

...Hypocrites? The Beastie Boys, famous in the '80s for putting girls in cages, now famous in the '90s for asking The Prodigy not to play 'Smack My B**** Up'. However, I'm reviewing their album not their politics, and what a pleasure this is! You might have thought that the Beasties would have run out of ideas by now, but fear not. 'Hello Nasty' is an album bursting with imagination and humour. Standout tracks are the two singles, and the collaboration with the legendary Lee 'Scratch' Perry, 'Dr Lee, PhD'. I loved it, and I'm sure you will too. Hypocrites? Who cares, as long as they keep producing music as good as this!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: great music
Disadvantages: they are no longer the trio that produced this album

..., it is a fantastically woven blend of electro, dub, blues, rock, pop, house, etc, etc.. Some people will be disappointed in that there are no Yawn Slippy'esque thumpers. But anyone with soul will adore the lush Dirty Epic and the hypnotic butt-shaker that is MMM skyscraper ....I love you. Oh yes, I almost forgot. Karl Hyde has apparently never done ecstasy, but his lyrics would imply that more than lager lager lager has passed his lips. The staggered vocal ramblings which echo slightly of Lee Scratch Perry in their randomness, are all over this album. Hyde as a frontman is an out and out genius, energetic, captivating and above all entertaining but his vocals are completely madcap. Often thrown together from conversations that he overhears the lyrics jump all over the music creating a rhythmic syncopation all of their own. Highlights for me are the truly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful