Good News - Vintage Negro Spirituals - Various Artists

Advantages: Some really good tracks
Disadvantages: Some are "so-so"

...Vintage Jazz Volume 4 is another of my all-time favourite jazz CDs, as it does exactly what it sys on the label, it IE.. it contain some really fine examples of some of the best classic jazz. Coleman Hawkins as his All Star Jam Band, featuring every example of the best jazz instruments, guitar, drums, clarinet, all performing together as one on Honeysuckle Rose. And please note the use of the word "jam" in the name of the band. As they say, there really is nothing new under the sun! The next track is also by Coleman Hawkins and His All Star Jam Band, but is a totally different style of jazz as they give a rip-roaring, jumping version of Sweet Georgia Brown. Crazy Rhythm is the next track an is also from Coleman Hawkins and His All Star Jam Band. Crazy Rhythm? Well, no all that crazy, and it is another example of the multi... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some of the band's best tracks, their last really good album
Disadvantages: Some boring songs, I listened to my copy to death! (see review).

.... It could - and possibly should - have been their 'Sgt. Pepper'; they took risks and on the surface, it added a totally new dimension to their sound. But, exerts from the book the entire album was based upon may put many listeners off, leaving you with only 10 tracks on this offering. Not exactly a good number for a band who were meant to be at their creative peak. THE ALBUM Consisting of 10 proper musical tracks and five spoken passages from 'The Age of Spiritual Machines', you already get the impressing that this album is an ode to the novel rather than being about the inspiration as such upon the groups music. 1. R.K. Intro (6 seconds) 2. Right Behind You [Mafia] (3.14 minutes) 3. R.K. 2029 (15 seconds) 4. In Repair (3.58 minutes) 5. Life (4.23 minutes) 6. Middle of Yesterday (3.54 minutes) 7. Are You Sad? (5.08 minutes) 8. R... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Contains classic artists such as Odyssey, Brothers Johnson and Diana Ross
Disadvantages: Is a populist take on the disco era.

...This album is a broad yet typical retrospective of the commercial side of the disco era. Staples of the disco scene such as Chic and Earth, Wind & Fire feature here, yet in their most famous incarnations as opposed to the music that changed the face of the dance underground forever. There are rare stand out moments such as the highlighted Brothers Johnson classic 'Stomp' and Diana Ross's Chic penned athem 'Upside Down' however, overall this album is a good album for those that think of disco as a Car Wash style flares and afro 'Good Times' party. It's not for the connoisseurs of disco for whom any one of the Larry Levan or Joey Negro compilations would be better suited.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful