Jah Victory - Alpha Blondy

Advantages: Rare moments of genius
Disadvantages: The coolest band on earth's descent into mediocrity

...to be identified/Across the border they pretend victory/I'm playing in the rubble and dream of destiny’) and the beat of the song, combined with some more horns and restrained guitars make for an excellent song. Clem Burke drums his heart out as well, giving one of his best performances in the band’s history. This was Blondie’s last single in this incarnation, peaking at an appalling No. 39 in the UK charts. They had simply lost the public’s imagination. Blondie explore some calypso, jazz, rap and scat on the daft and crazy ‘Little Caesar’, yet they pull it off with their trademark verve and style and somehow manage to make a blend of the styles above seem credible. The song is actually quite good with some funny lyrics, it sounds intentionally ironic and camp (“My name is Little Caesar./My friends call me LC/My Daddy's named the same and passed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Up and coming
Disadvantages: Not there yet

...Blondie emerged in the mid 1970’s. The name was apt for a group that used imagery from cartoons, B movies and tabloid headlines as inspiration for most of its early songs: X Offender, A Shark In Jet’s Clothing, Kung Fu Girls and The Attack Of The Giant Ants were among the sensationalist titles that featured on the first album Blondie in 1976. By the time of its release, Blondie featured a new rhythm section with Gary Valentine one bass and Clem Burke on drums. They came in alongside existing members Debbie Harry (vocals) and Chris Stein (guitar) to create an exciting and blistering pop sound, just as the new wave was starting to break in the UK. The album wasn’t released in Britain until 1978, when Chrysalis issued it along with their follow up Plastic Letters. It’s excellent stuff, pretty insubstantial in content, but glorious... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Wonderful stuff
Disadvantages: Teetering on the bland

...and Gultiness. Remember it now - Movement of Jah People - MOVE!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful