Your last listen

[jimbob]

Kae Tempest - The line is a curve. Stand out track for me is 'water in the rain' - stunning track.

[Fretless]

Slowdive 'Everything is Alive' (2023)



... and then there it is, a brand-new album from the Shoegaze legends who reformed in 2017 after a 22-year hiatus. Their comeback album 'Slowdive' was a triumph and this new record is simply an exercise in utter gorgeousness. Think: Cocteau Twins in the 21st century.

Isntantly addictive and wonderful.

Well, what are you waiting for .... ? Go listen!

[Grumpytim]

Last Rays of the Dying Sun - The Rain Parade.

I always felt that Crashing Dream, their 2nd LP wasn't anything like as good as ETRPT, however the break from 1985 has clearly done them good as the rather belated third effort is very good indeed.

[Fretless]

Will be checking that out!

[CN211276]

Porcupine Tree - On the Sunday of life

[Fretless]

Mike + the Mechanics (1985)



Don't know why but my focus seems to be on artists who I previously never had time for. A case in point is Mike Rutherford's 'other' band Mike + the Mechanics.

Formed as a side-project when Genesis were on hold in 1985, this was Rutherford's third solo effort after the superb 'Smallcreep's Day' and decidedly dodgy 'Acting Very Strange' on which he personally handled all lead vocals.

Not wanting to repeat that mistake, he hired both Paul Carrack and Paul Young (Sad Cafe) to sing in the Mechanics. The resulting album can be best described as 'Genesis Light' with familiar sounds and structures that echo what both Genesis and Phil C were doing at the time

Pleasant, radio-friendly pop-rock that occasionally fires up into Epic mode.

[CN211276]

Whitesnake - 1987

[slinger]

Mike + the Mechanics (1985)



Don't know why but my focus seems to be on artists who I previously never had time for. A case in point is Mike Rutherford's 'other' band Mike + the Mechanics.

Formed as a side-project when Genesis were on hold in 1985, this was Rutherford's third solo effort after the superb 'Smallcreep's Day' and decidedly dodgy 'Acting Very Strange' on which he personally handled all lead vocals.

Not wanting to repeat that mistake, he hired both Paul Carrack and Paul Young (Sad Cafe) to sing in the Mechanics. The resulting album can be best described as 'Genesis Light' with familiar sounds and structures that echo what both Genesis and Phil C were doing at the time

Pleasant, radio-friendly pop-rock that occasionally fires up into Epic mode.

Paul Carrack is one of my unsung heroes. I've got several of his solo albums and as well as a great voice he's an in-demand keyboard player too.

Remember Ace, and "How Long"? Carrack wrote it and sang it.

Have a quick read, you might be surprised by some of the acts he's played with. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Carrack

[Fretless]

Art of Noise 'The Seduction of Claude Debussy' (1999)



After a lengthy gap, Trevor Horn and Anne Dudley joined forces once again under the enigmatic Art of Noise banner. This time with a work inspired by the life of French composer Claude Debussy.

Lovers of oddball Classical / Contemporary crossover projects will enjoy this strange mix of Opera, Drum 'n Bass, Jazz, Chamber Music and who knows what else. Tastefully held together by the distinctive voice of narrator John Hurt and the detailed, imaginative production of Trevor Horn at his best.

Fascinating.

[karatestu]

The Blackbyrds - Unfinished business. 1970's jazz funk from some pupils of the great jazzer Donald Byrd. Donald produced the album too.