Works for String Quartet

Advantages: A good range of music is presented here
Disadvantages: Not so good for new Reich fans

...The main piece on this CD is Triple Quartet, a work written as recently as 1999. It has a strident and pungent sound but features Reich's famous driving, pulsing rhythms that are really captivating. Unlike his earlier works, the harmonies are stronger and less lush and there is a constant sense of drama and a surprisingly high level of passion. It took me some time to warm to the piece but now it is very high on my list. The slow movement is particlarly beautiful. Next up is a reworking of Violin Phase for electric guitar. An odd concept but it does work. However i prefer the original, its hard edge tone may not be to everybodys liking. Music for a large ensemble follows next and flows along at fast pace with interlocking patterns. There were moments when the mix seems to lose its way, and some of the textures seem to collide a little... Read review

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Advantages: Driven by musical passion. Great Jazz structures (+ lack of)
Disadvantages: All tracks are very similar (no variation)

...A must have for all JTQ fans. This album incorporates acid jazz with the classic James Taylor quartet sound. Opening with Joe's Diversions, the hammond organ sound takes lead throughout the album. Vocals from new singer Yvonne Yanney bring new light to the quartet - the most prominent track being 'It's all over'. For all jazz, and especially acid jazz fans, this album provides complex melodies and harmonies, whilst capturing the unusally simple structures of acid. The album is well produced, and the selection of tracks (11 in total) are well chosen. I would recommend this album to all fans of JTQ and jazz, and to those who are willing to try something new in their musical tastes. Truly a great album, full of musical passion.... Read review

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Advantages: A welcome return to form
Disadvantages: A little short

...While Queen showed an uncanny ability to stay abreast of changing musical fads and fashions most of the time without falling flat on their faces, by the early 1980s it was starting to look if they had had their day. Blondie and the Boomtown Rats both made mediocre bandwagon-jumping albums in 1982, the same year that Queen came up with the similarly ersatz funk-influenced 'Hot Space', their weakest ever. Thankfully they redeemed themselves with 'The Works', by and large a return to what they did best. Though it has its faults, it certainly remains their best album of the later years. Several tracks were potential singles - and in fact, within a year of the album's release, all nine cuts had also appeared on the A- or B-side of new singles (albeit with differences, for which read on). 'Radio Ga Ga' was... Read review

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