by Bryan Coonrod
Lack Of Afro – This Time
If you like that soul vibe of the 60’s and early 70’s you should check out the latest from Lack Of Afro who is producer Adam Gibbons, a white guy so therefore lacks an afro. Chocked full of jazz and funk & soul goodies with vocal contributions from Angeline Morrison, Wayne Gidden, Jake Morley and up and coming rapper Wax.
This is the 3rd full album release from Adam who when not producing his own material you will find him remixing other tracks and performing DJ sets around Europe. This is a great album to have at a lounge party or wine mixer.
Standout tracks on this release : P.A.R.T.Y., The Importance Of Elsewhere, A Time For, Fool and the instrumental track One For Bielski
Cuban Jazz Combo – Cuban Disco Connection
Sticking with the jazz we go to a really fun release from the Cuban Jazz Combo. Ever wonder what The Doobie Brothers ” Long Train Running” would sound like with a salsa vibe? That is just one of the many great songs remade by these guys. While the rest of the album contains mainstays of the disco era such as Cheryl Lynn’s ” Got To Be Real”, Earth Wind & Fire’s “September and the ever popular sing a long Gloria Gaynor’s ” I Will Survive”.
This album will turn on a few light bulbs once people listen and figure out who did the original songs. Salsa & Disco you cannot go wrong with two great genres that people love to dance to. Grab this one and play it at your next party.
ZZ Top – A Tribute From Friends
Them boys from Texas get some love as other bands do a tribute to their favorite songs of the one of the best bands from Texas. With a few bands everyone knows like Nickelback, Wyclef Jean, Wolfmother, Daughtry and Filter, there are a few newer band some may not of heard of like Coheed & Cambria, Mastodon, Jamey Johnson and Duff Mckagan’s Loaded.
There are a few wow tracks on here with Daughtry, the guy from American Idol puts out a goose bump producing version of “Waiting for The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago”. Mastodon’s version of “Just Got Paid” sounds like an angry Dusty Hill which works very well with the musical backing. I really like how ” Gimme All Your Lovin” by Filter gets a very filthy underground remake and “La Grange” by country artist Jamey Johnson turns into an 8 minute jam session.
The M.O.B. is a legendary lineup in itself with Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler and Johnny Lang they layout a version of “Sharp Dressed Man” that should get some radio plays The really only bad offering on here is Wyclef Jean trying to make “Rough Boy” into some reggae/pop track.
