Reviews February 2008 Page 2 Various Artists - Jardim Eletrico: A Tribute to Os Mutantes (Madcap Collective) Mixing traditional Brazilian rhythms (samba, bossa nova) with psychedelia is the essence of Tropicalia and as a tribute to Tropicalia’s finest there could be no better, than Jardim Eletrico. 40 years of music technology and history allows some of the artists included here to reinterpret and levitate and embellish the tracks beyond the originals - owing to the financial and technical constraints of the time: notably Jennifer Gentle’s ‘Panis Et Circensis’, Father Murphy’s ‘Ave Lucifer’ Franklin Delano & Gres Unidoes Do Berimbau’s ‘Ando Meio Desligado’ and The Earlies’ ‘Ave Genghis Khan’. White Flag add a Pink Floyd twist with the ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ style vocal in their powerful version of ‘Mysterions White Roses’. Os Mutantes were Beatles obsessives and it is with a certain level of irony that Yuka Honda and Sean Lennon deliver ‘Trem Fantasma’ in a style sounding like Strawberry-Fields era Beatles covering Os Mutantes - a rousting rendition never the less. Other highlights are Pillars & Tongues’ offering, a droning folk working of ‘Magica’ and Brian Wilson backing band, Wondermints include a perfect pop ‘Arnaldo Said’. A real must have for Os Mutantes and Psych-Pop fans alike. www.maledetto.it / www.sillyboy.it Will F. - Brennin Hunt - S/T (Independent) Nashville’s Brennin Hunt band have got a lot going for them. Smooth vocals, good songs and a crisp bluesy guitar sound make their album more than suitable for some serious radio play. In fact, for easy reference, think an album of Santana / Rob Thomas collaborations and you’ll be close enough to spit. www.brenninhunt.com Rob F. - Adele - 19 (XL) The debut album by London soul singer Adele sounds so much like Amy Winehouse, it’s frightening. I suppose imitation is a form of flattery and all that, but I’m not sure it’s to be wholly encouraged. Still, for all the reservations, it’s a likable record. Smoky vocals and pop nous carry the day, and you’re probably all in love with the singles 'Chasing Pavements' and 'Hometown Glory' by now anyway. Rob F. - Radiohead - In Rainbows (XL) After all the fuss about pay-what-you-like digital downloads and pay-through-the-nose box sets, here’s the proper CD, available everywhere, and you’ll probably get change from a tenner. Fortunately, it was worth the rumpus. In Rainbows mixes and matches the best bits of Radiohead’s previous work - the electronic innovation of Kid A and the focused tunes of The Bends and OK Computer - and moves it all along. Now, if they’ll just bring it out on 8-Track, I can play it in the Cortina. Rob F. - Songbirds - Wake Up Call (Liberty) An album of sweet country pop songs from the Songbirds. The arrangements are kept simple - piano, acoustic guitars and a brushed drum - and the vocal harmonies rich and sumptuous. Cutting edge it ain’t, though who wants cutting edge on a summery Sunday morning. Pure, thoroughly retro sunshine pop, for those days when nothing else will quite do. Rob F. - Kathy Zimmer - Spare Key (Independent) I’ve been listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell lately. Her ‘60s and ‘70s output was consistently inspired, with Blue probably her best record. I think Kathy Zimmer might be a fan, too. Spare Key is a compact six track mini-album which draws heavily on that legacy. It’s the attention to everyday detail, that Zimmer instills in her songs which gives the most pleasure. It’s a ‘chatty’ style, which almost feels like you’re shooting the breeze over a coffee. And her voice. It’s got a catch in it which brings to mind another ‘60s folk icon, Joan Baez, though it’s nowhere near as pure. Indeed, the songs, the singer, the whole package, you’ll have to decide for yourself whether Kathy Zimmer is retro or timeless. I’m not sure, but I like it, whatever you want to call it. www.kathyzimmermusic.com Rob F. Next Page Past Reviews: March 07, April 07, May 07, June/July 07, Sept/Oct 07, Dec07, Jan08