Prohibido - Isaac Delgado

Advantages: Beautiful, use of instruments
Disadvantages: Not for everyne. Quite difficult to get into

...I would like to introduce you to one of my favourite bands. Unless you are really into indie music or were a John Peel listener I doubt you would have heard of the Delgados, (the only band ever to name themselves after a Tour De France competitor), as they have never had a top 40 single or album. I thought I would review their third album, the Mercury Prize nominated Great Eastern, because it truly is a masterpiece. Who are the Delgados. The Delgados were a Scottish indie band who formed around about the mid 90s and founded the Chemikal Underground label. Unfortunately they split last year. They consist of Emma Pollock Vocals Stewart Henderson- bass Alun Woodward vocals and guitar Paul Savage - Drums. The Great Eastern is a truly wonderful album and is one of my favourite albums of all time. It was released in April... Read review

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Advantages: classic soul
Disadvantages: not short to listen to

...Before Isaac Hayes was 'Chef' in South Park, he was 'Isaac Hayes - soul prophet'. 'Hot Buttered Soul' is one of the top ten soul albums of all time, and possibly the best ever soul debut album, most acts taking time to deliver their best in this genre. Hayes scores straight out of the blocks with an astonishing 12 minute version of 'Walk on By', the old Bacharach-David staple, except we've never heard it like this - riding in with the strings and choir from an imaginary western, cut with acid guitar and a razor-sharp backbeat. Isaac Hayes is unusual in that the longer one of his tracks is, the better it seems to be. His vocal style starts gentle and works up a head of steam into the middle of the cut, which is followed by an instrumental ending which starts softly and goes into a hammond organ and drum-driven rhythmic freakout featuring... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent chill out music, what a voice!
Disadvantages: You can't sing along to some songs cos you can't suss the words out!

...Just sitting here tonight chilling I read an opinion earlier that gave Gregory Isaacs a mention. Now, he's been one of my favourites for years so I thought I'd share one of his many albums with you. Red Rose For Gregory was released way back in 1988 but has been re-released many times due to it's unerring popularity, hopefully this review will convince you to give him a try. So who is Gregory Isaacs? He's only THE reggae dancehall master - Sean Paul wasn't even born when Gregory started releasing his reggae classics and now Sean Paul is not only born but also out of nappies and into condoms, Gregory is still doing the business. He's well over 50 now and commonly referred to as the 'Grandaddy of Reggae', not bad for a guy who was at one time being busted for gun charges on a regular basis in 70's Jamaica! Red Rose For Gregory... Read review

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