House, R&B, Soul & Rap > House House, R&B, Soul & Rap > 1990 to 1999 > up to 5 GBP

Advantages: Vast range of influences and genres on one album
Disadvantages: Quality goes slightly down hill towards the end

...in my room on a Sunday afternoon listening to Radio 1’s mix hour that they used to have around lunch time. I wasn’t really paying attention too closely and was just relaxing but then there came a tune that instantly grabbed me. It was something totally new to me – the mellow trance sounds backing the cool voice of Maxi Jazz; and oh the main melody when it came in was something else entirely. It took me a while to find out what I ...
...my first Faithless album – Sunday 8PM. I had read up on this album and it seemed to win huge thumbs up from many people – so upon purchasing the CD in a sale from HMV, I was expecting quite a lot… This album however, was not their first release, and in 1998 (the time of it’s release), Faithless had already enjoyed over 3 years of success. The core of Faithless formed in approximately 1993 – this being the child musical ... Read review

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So it is time for another op, well I have decided to a crack down on my CD’s that I own, and let me tell you there are quite a few. As some of you may now I have an extremely wide taste in music, (Eva Cassidy and now Groove Armada!)? It is quite amazing actually; I can listen to classical and then turn on pop, dance or soul. This is what I adore about music, it is what you make it, you decide, and you stay in control. I was first introduced ...
...that?) and it came with a free CD. It had a wicked remix of ‘If Everybody Looked The Same’ and so I splashed out and got the album. When I first listened I was impressed, second time I was shocked and third amazed. This album releases new experiences every time you listen … 1. Chicago – This track starts really well, it has the sound of a car engine revving up and an eerie sound in the background that sounds great mixed together. ... Read review

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This is an excellent follow up to the debut album Dreamland. Just let the smooth lyrics take you on another journey that plays with your imagination, Listen to the melodic lyrics as they guide you through the album. With Tracks ranging from the hit single, "Freedom" with Kathy Sledge (of Sister Sledge fame), to the 10 minute epic, "Everyday Life". The Artwork in the sleeve is great too and includes all the lyrics. Definitely money well spent. I can't ... Read review

Advantages: A couple of good dance tunes
Disadvantages: Repetitive lines

"51/50 Ratchet" is the debut album from the Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris. When this dropped, 2007, the musician was only eighteen years old, and to fit in with what is expected of young rappers, espcially ones from the Dirty South, he has come out with some 'ringtone rap' with his hit single "A Bay Bay and "The Hand Clap" which followed on from it. 1. "Getting Money" (feat. Nicole Wray) This track get the album off to a shaky start as it isn't ...
...have to say tha I expect it though because he basially summarises his life stroy to the lsitenr in order to make up a little introduction for you before getitng itno his music. This little contextual information can be overlooked though as it doesn't bring out anything out of the ordinary. **Two Stars** 2. "A Bay Bay" This is the big single from the album and as his debut, it manged to catapult him into fame at the start of 2007. From there the ... Read review

Advantages: street music!
Disadvantages: too much street music!

Having been a big fan of fifty cent when he first burst on to the scene, and also a big fan of G Unit, i have to be honest, my interest has waned of late thanks to a couple of mediocre releases and an attempted cross-over into more radio friendly music. With the release of G Unit's anticipated sophomore album, it gives us a chance to see whether they really have crossed over, or if they remain true to the streets which raised them. Starting with ...
...definitely get you to pick it up if you saw it in the store. The album opens with Straight Outta Southside - a supposed ode to Sean Bell who was shit by police, but it doesn't actually make any reference to him, apart from once! It seems to be a cover of straight outta compton by NWA, but is nowhere near as good, a definite miss to open the album! We then lurch into piano man and close to me, two decent songs but forgettable nonetheless. Finally ... Read review