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	ALBUM of the MONTH 2004 Albums of the Month scroll down to read reviews month by month or click on links below
	February: Viaje 'Go Lem System' March: Back Door 'Askin'The Way' April: Gerry Richardson's Big Idea 'Cookin' at The Cluny' May: Robert Maseko 'African Keen' June: David Viner 'Mr David Viner' July: Pietra Montecorvino 'Napoli Mediterranea' August: Banoffi 'Galata Bridge' September: Various 'Re:Creation' October: Jah Wobble 'I Could Have Been A Contender - The Anthology' November: Richard Grainger 'On Heather & Clarty Moor' December: Various 'Fabriclive 07 - John Peel'
	December 2004: Fabriclive 07 John Peel fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffVarious Artists DJING “I used to do lots of gigs in the sixties, seventies and eighties. They were all nightmarish by and large, not just for me but for the audience as well. In those days they were always at Universities and Polytechnics and what they wanted were competitions where they could win prizes like Radio One things and they always involved doing things like drinking pints of beer through other people’s socks. The compere would always say ‘Do you want me to introduce you’ and I’d say ‘No, it’s OK, I’ll introduce myself’. You used to have to speak in those days, obviously. So I’d let the record stop and everyone would turn round to see what had gone wrong. I used to base what little I did on the American comedian Jackie Vernon. I thought he was hilariously funny. In the sixties he used to come on, this very ordinary-looking bloke in a very ordinary-looking suit, certainly not a suit that cost a lot to look ordinary, and he just used to come on and be amazingly downbeat at a time when most American comedians were hysterical and shouty. I used to think that he was so cool, he used to make me laugh like a drain and most of my American friends would say ‘This guy’s not funny’ and I used to say, ‘He’s the best you’ve got! He really is!’. I don’t know what became of him. But anyway, when the record had faded I used to grab the microphone and say “[deadpan] Hello, I’m your exciting Radio One personality. For the next ninety minutes I’m going to play records you don’t like very much, and afterwards I’m going to walk out of here with my pockets bulging with your money. There may be a flaw in this scheme, but up until now I’ve not discovered what it is…” Sometimes things went reasonably well, but not always. A couple of times I had to be escorted back to my car by a phalanx of policemen and on one occasion, in Silith near Carlisle, I had to be effectively escorted to the county border, to a hotel, because I’d gone down so badly.” FABRIC “I was amazed, and very, very scared to play at fabric and it was just fantastic. It was much better than those gigs I used to do. It was as great a night as I’ve had in my life, and people will say ‘Oh, he would say that wouldn’t he’, but it actually was. The fact that people were singing ‘Teenage Kicks’ eight minutes after I’d finished was unforgettable.” (John Peel) Every month fabric produce and release a representative album by a DJ who has been invited to do a session at one of their club nights, either fabric or FABRICLIVE. FABRIC LIVE 07 is the only official recording ever made of a John Peel session and features a typically eclectic mix covering five decades of music. 24 tracks including The Soledad Brothers ‘Break ‘em on Down’, the Velvelettes ‘Needle in a Haystack’, the Bad Livers ‘Lust for Life’, the Fall ‘Mr Pharmacist’, Jimmy Reed ‘Too Much’, Maloko ‘In the Midnight Hour’, the Kingswoods ‘Purty Vacant’, Culture ‘Lion Rock’, Joy Division ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, and, of course, the Undertones ‘Teenage Kicks’. It’s not a ‘live’ album and, needless to say, John to does not introduce the tracks - just a straight mix of the some of the tunes he liked best. This album will be played in its entirety at the free Teesside Branch MU John Peel celebration on Thursday 9th December to be held at the Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees. With a running time of over 73 minutes this is a great party record. It’s available at “all good record stores” and also direct from www.fabriclondon.com. Thousands have made cassette copies of John’s shows. Fabriclive 07 is a mix specially and carefully chosen by John Peel himself and a project he particularly enjoyed. Typically, he felt flattered to be asked by fabric to contribute his work.
	November 2004: On Heather & Clarty Moor gggggggggggggggggggggRichard Grainger The Album of the Month, November, takes us right back to North Yorkshire and Teesside roots. This area, notable for music coming out of rock, R&B, and blues (Chris Rea, Dave Coverdale, Ron Aspery, Paul Rogers etc) has always had a strong tradition in "folk" music, consolidated over centuries. The Watersons, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy, Vin Garbutt have achieved considerable international reputations - Richard Grainger's new album is one to add to the 'essential' collection. "On Heather & Clarty Moor" mixes Richard's own work with his arrangements of traditional tunes, and one from Middlesbrough's Graeme Miles, writer, since the early 50's, of literally hundreds of songs documenting and celebrating life in Cleveland. Apart from strong vocal and guitar performances from Richard there's a load of musicians and singers taking part including John and Joy Rennie (Vocal and keyboard), Moira Clarke (Melodeon), Flossie Mallaviale (Vocal) Steve Dawes (Mandolin& Vocal) Ron Angel (Vocal,Whistle and Harmonica) Andy Monaghan (Vocal) Rachel Thompson (Vocal) Tricia Lucas (Fiddle) and The Wilson Family (Vocals). Of the traditional songs, Richard's arrangement of 'The Lyke Wake Dirge', perhaps the oldest example of Cleveland dialect verse in existence, is one of the most effective. Chilling in it's execution and finality. The Wake is the watch over the corpse, the Lyke is the corpse itself. (It's after this song that Bill Cowley named the famous 'Lyke Wake Walk' a forty mile trek over the breadth of the North York Moors which passes through many of the ancient burial grounds clearly evident on the moor tops and alongside pathways - evidence that the North York Moors were amongst the first areas to be settled in the British Isles). In contrast is 'Willie went to Westerdale' - a humorous call and response song typical of those handed down through fireside and moorland inn celebrations over generations. "We have made certain amendments to the words so as not to offend the more tender listener" (sleeve notes). These songs are both presented acapella, as are some of the others on this album. The standard of musicianship throughout is high level, from Richard's excellent open-tuned guitar treatment of the currently resonant 'Foxhunting Song' to the ensemble sword dance tune 'Lass O'Dalogill'. (It's great to hear Ron Angel of the famed Teesside Fettlers in such good form - Ron gave me and Dave Pope - blues duo - our first gig: at Stockton Folk Club around 1963). Of Richard's own songs the brooding 'Darklands' uses minimal instrumentation and atmospheric choral work to great effect. 'Come along By' (written originally for Middlesbrough Museums project 'Town inTime' - late nineties) and 'The Iron Miner's Testimonial' (written during the making of this album) both document rural and industrial change, 'Teesside and Yorkshire' is a personal and heartfelt celebration of the region. Though the album is a sincere evocation of affection, Richard's work is not bogged down by clarty over-seriousness. There's easy light and shade here - a feel of uplifting celebration and a significant contribution to the music (all styles) currently being created in this neck of the woods. "Heather & Clarty Moor" is no po-faced eulogy to times gone by - it's part of a continuum. The accompanying booklet is exceptionally well presented and informative, providing background details to the 14 songs on the album, describing their history and their making. And there's a very good photograph of Rosedale on the cover! This album is available from record shops in the area and mail order (£14.99) from Klondike Records, The Old Post Office, Commondale, Whitby, YO21 2HG Further details: www.richardgrainger.co.uk e-mail: richard.grainger@onyxnet.co.uk; tel: 01287 660200.
	October 2004: "I Could Have Been a Contender - The Anthology" gggggggggggggggggggJah Wobble vReleased at the end of August, this is a stunning 3-CD, 37 track set documenting the 26-year career (so far) of one of music's most unique bass guitarists and singer/songwriters. The tracks are not chronological - the diversity of Wobble's consistently innovative approach unfolds as the CDs progress. This definitive set documents Wobble's two year stint with the pioneering experimental rock band, Public Image Limited (1978-80), and includes three digitally remastered PiL classics Public Image, Poptones and Swan Lake (Death Disco). Following PiL Wobble threw himself into a diverse range of projects, working with German experimental rock group Can's Holger Czukay and Jaki Leiezeit in addition to U2's The Edge. Way ahead of his contemporaries in the exploration of new global sounds, his introduction of Eastern and World influences predated Peter Gabriel and other's excursions into those genres by around 5 years. In 1987 Jah Wobble walked away from the music business and started working for the London Underground. A few years later he miraculously emerged from the subway tunnels with a group called The Invaders of the Heart and the album Without Judgement. Sounds magazine welcomed his return: "Jah Wobble, the gunslinger with the fastest meanest bass on the block ....back with a vengeance!" Following unexpected success, Wobble released the universally acclaimed Bomb 12 ("A bass monster of foundation-juddering proportions" - Melody Maker) which resulted in a deal with Warner Bros. and the album Rising Above Bedlam. This album earned him even more critical acclaim than any of his previous work and was short listed for the Mercury Music Prize. The song Visions of You was performed with Sinead O'Connor and catapulted Wobble into the U.K. singles chart. Wobble signed a new deal with Island Records. His follow up: Take Me To God further developed his visionary progression - 17 tracks of eclectic instrumentation featuring an impressive range of performers including Baaba Maal, Dolores O'Riordan, Natasha Atlas, Gavin Friday, Najma Akhtar and Chaka Demus & Pliers. "The theme of spirituality has rarely been more perfectly realised on a pop record". (The Guardian). The Invader's riveting appearances at many of the major music festivals further expanded his mainstream audiences. Suddenly Wobble found himself one of the most in demand musicians on the block, working with the likes of Bjork, Ginger Baker, The Orb, Massive Attack, Primal Scream and The Shamen. The album Spinner, a collaboration with Brian Eno, was described by Q as "a delight which reveals deeper pleasures, simultaneously soothing and involving." Also, recorded in this period was Jah Wobble's strange and wonderful Inspiration of William Blake, one of the few music and poetry attempts that have actually worked. Blake, another cockney lad, would have approved. Wobble then released Heaven and Earth, largely an instrumental album, produced by New York's Bill Laswell, with Natasha Atlas (vocals), Pharoah Sanders (saxophone), Bernie Worrell (keyboards) and Nicky Skopelitis (guitar), charts a course into new and exciting musical territories - underpinned as always by his unique deep bass sound. Jah Wobble (aka John Wardle) jumped headfirst, aged 18, into Public Image Ltd., as the band's renegade thundering bass guitarist and was fundamental in shaping the virulent nihilism of punk into sonic and melodic extremes that took in everything from dub reggae to Stockhausen. Wobble found the perfect foil in former Sex Pistol John Lydon. His passion for reggae music helped differentiate Public Image from any other band that came before them. "Wobble's antics are notorious yet now he has found himself in a position to channel his manic energy into formulating some of the most awesome and original bass lines in modern music", wrote Vivien Goldman in the Melody Maker. Rather than capitalising on his reputation Jah Wobble formed his own independent record label 30 Hertz in 1996. It catalogues Wobble's constant innovations, featuring accompanying luminaries such as famed saxophonist Evan Parker, Molam Lao, the 'super group' Solaris, (Bill Laswell, Harold Budd, Jaki Liebezeit and Graham Haynes), Uzbekistani singer Yulduz, along with legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin. In a career that now spans twenty-six years in the music business, Wobble continues to mesmerise, surprise, and challenge his audience. It is appropriate that this extraordinary piece of work is issued by Trojan, pioneers of dub reggae and ska. Dub and reggae masters were Wobble's initial inspiration. "It was like music from Mars ... you'd fallen into a heaven of sound" (Jah Wobble, LiNK magazine April 2004) At a rrp of £12.99 this 3 CD set (with it's booklet of informative, and often very amusing, notes by Jah Wobble) is an absolute bargain
	September 2004: "re:creation" fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffVarious “Dust Bowl Central offer their calling card track, Spiders in the Streetlamps, while elsewhere Just Jon offers the spiky and powerful Amsterdam Avenue, Pickerings Chu Ma Shu serve up the mantra car crash known as Bright Blue Sky, while Ant David and Hayley Hutchinson paint the air with their softer, gentler offerings. She’s Not Dead’s aching, longing Bedtime Stories and Trickledown’s itchy, skin-crawling declaration of independence, Here Stand I, close the CD not with a whimper, but with a veritable slam-dunk.” Stephen Hunt The Evening Press Every musician who plays live music has inspired re:creation. It is not only playing the music but also feeling it. This CD was created to celebrate and commemorate real music and insightful musicians. Within this CD there are seventeen tracks from different musicians who together formulate this new sound; a movement between decades 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and now. With rock alternative twists, gentle acoustic sounds, and nineties grunge and indie, it creates a melody that flows from track to track so we at Aesthetica Music say thank you to all who play music and to you who support new musicians. Cherie Federico Aesthetica Magazine This CD includes the sounds from • AKP • Simon & Ben • Just Jon • Ant David • Rob Hughes with Stone Grove • Hayley Hutchinson • red:shift • Mike Newsham • Dust Bowl Central • Joseph Alan • Numbfoot • Simon Snaize • customer1000 • She’s Not Dead • Chu Ma Shu • Trickledown • Syncrownized This album celebrates the diversity of music centred in York and is seriously good. (Joseph Alan sounds remarkably like someone else we know!) Available now from Tracks Records in York, and from Borders, price • £9.00 Alternatively, you can mail order a copy directly from Aesthetica at www.aestheticamagazine.com
	August 2004: "Galata Bridge" dddddddddddddddddBanoffi Banoffi are one of the best outfits to have emerged from the local scene over the past decade, and this album is probably the most representative of their performance style. Banoffi are calling a halt and taking a break to broaden out their horizons - their gig at the Compass Club on Friday 20th August 2004 is the last chance you’ll get to see them in the “Banoffi” format. And the format is pretty unique - expect celtic jigs and reels with Hungarian brandy crazed ceilidh thrown in for good measure. The Ukrainians are an outfit with similar attitude, or likewise, imagine the Pogues with broader musical horizons. This extraordinary Whitby based trio play mandolin, bouzouki, acoustic guitar, whistles, flutes, bodhran, doumbek, and fiddle - guaranteed to get any crowd dancing. But there’s shade as well as light - ‘Banoffi’, with Dave Moss out there dancing with the crowd whilst playing breakneck violin runs, are equally adept at emotive laid back ballads and laments. “Banoffi” have played Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Whitby Musicport World Music Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and major acoustic and rock venues nationally. “Galata Bridge” opens with the fiddle-lead instrumental “Ghost of Toastie” - a gradual build up in tempo, frenzy and musical references - a good intro to the trio’s work - Dave’s fluid high speed fiddle lines underpinned by Tim Downie’s guitar stabs and Ian Hulme’s percussion counterpoints. “The Waterfall” showcases Ian’s masterly whistle work, echos of some middle-eastern market place - two jigs “written by Ian in relief at leaving the hostile atmosphere of Croatia for the much more relaxed one of Hungary”. Dave’s songs “Krisztina” and “Bluebells”, a particular favourite, are contemplative, broad and sweeping. “Le Pont vers La Lune” makes it clear that these guys may be crazed but they’re certainly not musical lightweights, (“Time signatures? Pah!”). Likewise “Bregenzo to Merano” - full on, great bodrhan from Ian. Title track “Galata Bridge” is “written in celebration of an Istanbul landmark”. The album concludes with the soothing “Chamomile Lullaby” - “In a more lucid moment Dave found himself imagining he was a mug of chamomile tea. And for a short moment he was”. This excellently produced album was mastered at Abbey Road studios and is available mail order through www.banoffi.com, through secure internet credit card sales facility at www.cultfound.org and at Folk Devils, Whitby.
	July 2004: "Napoli Mediterranea" --------------------------------Pietra Montecorvino True originals are few and far between, but Pietra Montecorvino is one such. Possessed of a voice both tender and raw, like cream on sandpaper, she seems to embody the turbulent history of Naples in her delivery. The album consists of fourteen Neapolitan songs, but as the title suggests they are set in a Mediterranean context with the instrumental accent on oud, acoustic bass, guitar and percussion. The result is a powerful evocation of romance, danger, humidity and the rubbing together of different traditions. O Sole Mio never sounded like this when Elvis did it. On first hearing all attention is on her voice – the nearest I can get is a mixture of Edith Piaf and Marianne Faithfull – but on subsequent listenings the arrangements seem to echo the characteristics of that voice being variously delicate, passionate and forceful. Those lucky enough to see her performance on Later with Jools Holland will know that not only is Pietra Montecorvino an original but also that she has enough charisma to fill the bay of Naples. It was electrifying. So, get the album, get a bottle of Italian red and a bottle of grappa and find yourself somewhere else. Dave Longmate, Folk Devils, Whitby.
	June 2004: "Mr. David Viner" --------------------------------David Viner Despite having been released in the latter half of 2003, we have picked the awesome, self-titled debut album from Mr David Viner as our first LiNK Album of the Month. Based in London, David Viner has an exceptional gift for playing Blues guitar which he carried with him to record at the legendary Ghetto Recorders Studios, Detroit City, with Jim Diamond producing. It is here that he worked with friends The Soledad Brothers on this CD - it contrasts well with live performances which have graced The Georgian Theatre on three occasions already... I hear a fourth has already been scheduled. This album, and David’s forthcoming date at the Georgian are not to be missed....Watch this space. A split release on Dim Mak and Jason Von Bondies Intheact label, this album is full of great songs that display what a fine instrumentalist David Viner really is. The album gets better with repeated plays and has found comparisons with Bob Dylan and Robert Johnson amongst many other Folk and Blues greats. Tom Butchart, Sound It Out Records ---------------------********
	May 2004: "African KEEN" --------------------------------Robert Maseko Twenty years ago, when the term 'world music' was known only to a small cartel of independent record labels and a few interested retailers, the fact that an artist as exotic as, say, Kanda Bongo Man would be living in the UK would have been unimaginable. Today, the star of the kwassa kwassa beat is based in Manchester. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, to find that the north-east of England is home to another Congolese rhythm king - Robert Maseko. He's of a younger generation than his more famous compatriot and his charismatic performance in front of a great rootsy band is gaining him a loyal British following. Robert was recently presented with an ATOM award from the Performing Right Society Foundation (Advancing Talented Originators of Music), nominated by Cultural Foundation - a significant accolade from his peers. His music has been in development since his lovely rumba-styled debut album 'La Cremaria', played regularly by BBC's John Peel and Andy Kershaw. Here, he's bringing in elements from African music originating outside of the mighty Democratic Republic of Congo. Twitchy, excitable guitar-driven jit-pop from Zimbabwe and the Lubumbashi region of Congo (close to Robert's homeland), searing East African rumba and the shimmering, wide-skies feel of the Sahel sound from West Africa, as popularised by artists like Salif Keita. Maseko has a good voice, capable of conveying his songs with much strength of feeling. In this live recording, made at one of northern England's best live circuit venues, the Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Robert sings of the sadness of displaced persons, homesickness, the plight of ordinary Africans, refugees, the dispossessed and, of course, of love. This well-recorded & neatly mastered full-length 11- track disc closes with a sparky African version of Lamont Dozier's 'Going back to my Roots'. Stick around, Mr.Maseko, your star is in the ascendant. Available mail order with secure credit card facility at sales at www.cultfound.org and www.thephatplanet.com and specialist record stores Sterns, London, and Folk Devils, Whitby Dave Atkins, Phat Planet Records ---------------------------********
	April 2004: ''Cookin' at the Cluny" -------------------------Gerry Richardson's Big Idea "Gerry Richardson, Sting's mentor, musical guide, partner and rival of the 1970s is back with a new album. Recorded live in Newcastle upon Tyne this features Gerry on Hammond Organ with a kicking nine piece band playing ten funky original tunes" (quote taken from Sting's website) Though this is not officially Sting's "album of the month" it could well be. He writes the sleeve notes, the album is available through his website, and in recent weeks Gerry has been Sting's guest at lavish LA style banquets celebrating the Grammy and Music Care Awards (where, at both of which, Sting was in receipt of special awards). Ever modest, Gerry described to us his astonishment to be at an event, attended by around 2000 guests, where the entertainment was provided by Elton John, Elvis Costello, Charles Aznavour with Herbie Hancock, and Kylie Minogue. His "Big Idea" are to back Sting at a Variety Club event held to celebrate the award of "Person of the Year" to the geordie, prior to his Newcastle Arena concert in May. Such respect from one of the region's most successful musicians afforded to a self-effacing guy who is equally at home at the local pub gig or on the big stage. "Cookin' at the Cluny" is a gas. Rare to hear anything approaching a big band sound these days - the'Big Idea' really blow a storm. From the opening funk groove of 'Take the Tee Train' via the contemplative and plaintive bluesy 'Who Knows where the Time Goes' to the full-on, shuffling 'Tower of Cheddar'. A particular favourite is 'African Sunset' - echoes of the Savannah. Gerry himself pays homage in this album to those for whom he has particular respect - Richard Tee, Abdullah Ibrahim, Jimmy McGriff, Tower of Power, and keyboardists as diverse as Billy Preston and Bill Evans. "Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea is a dynamic nine-piece Hammond organ based band exploring the jazz organ genre to the max! Soul, Gospel, Funk, Swing and Samba are all part of the mix. Add to that some kicking original tunes .... you get an unbeatable format for a great nights’ music". (www.gerryrichardson.com). The 'Big Idea' are Gerry Richardson - organ, Gordon Marshall & Dave Hignett - trumpet/flugel- horn, Keith Norris - trombone, Garry Linsley, Mick Donnelly & Sue Ferris - saxophones, Rod Sinclair - guitar and Paul Smith - drums. ‘The most distinctive jazz group to have recently emerged in the north-east.’ (Jazz UK). Don't miss them at Stockton Riverside Festival on July 31st - in the meantime - buy this CD and ...... "Turn the album up loud enough for your neighbours to hear, imagine yourself in a steamy, heaving club in Newcastle, dance 'til you sweat, smooch to the slow dances with the one you love, and let the warm currents of music wash over you, soothe your body and nourish your soul ......" (Sting) "Cookin' at the Cluny" is available from www.sting.com, or by mail order from The Big Idea, PO Box 92, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 9ZD (send £10.00 inc. p&p). For further details: check www.gerryrichardson.com or e-mail: gerryrichardson1@aol.com --------------------------********
	March 2004: ''Askin' the Way'' -------------------- -------------Back Door This album is far more than my album "of the month". It's one of the few truly original works. Released in spring last year and launched at a couple of marvellous gigs at Blakey in March - the band's old home. Totally perennial. ".... a guffawing, raw-edge cruise over a boogie bassline that makes you feel you're right there with them in the crowded pubs in which they honed this style. The empty pint-glasses and spilling ashtrays on the artwork are nothing less than truthful about this music's roots". (John Fordham, Guardian) "For once the word 'legendary' can be correctly applied. Ron Aspery on saxophone and keyboard, drummer and occasional accordionist Tony Hicks, and bass guitarist Colin Hodgkinson are all virtuosi, but that is only the start. Together they constitute a kind of group mind that conceives and executes entirely unclassifiable but compelling and intensely joyful music" (Dave Gelly, Observer) And some comments from people who've bought the album: "When I put "Askin' the Way" on - well, it was as though I had been in the 'fug' of an overly heated room when a window was broken and the crisp reality of an autumn day blew in! This is such wonderful stuff - three people who obviously love their instruments and their music - which is intricate, sometimes overwhelming, passionate, moody, and never less than exhilerating. It's been so long since I heard Back Door, but it all came flooding back - I love to hear real musicians play and this stuff is SO original, a real breath of fresh air!" (Dave Wellings) "Brilliant. World class music.. Unique sound". (Trevor Buck) "It is difficult to put feelings like this into words, but the grin that's been on my face since the album first went onto the cd player yesterday morning says it all. In my humble opinion: Back Door - Top Draw". (Owen Clingan) "Please relay that there's someone in Pittsburgh who's life has been transformed by Mr. Hodgkinson's playing. Send more Back Door!" (Zeke Hubbard) Available from the Lion, Blakey, Fearnley's Records, Middlesbrough, Sound it Out, Stockton, Rock-ola and Track, York, Music Quarter, Guisborough, Mobo's and Dyscworld, Scarborough, Folk Devils, Whitby, and the Bass Centres, London, Manchester, and Birmingham. By mail order: (£13.00 inc. P&P) to Cultural Foundation Records, Rosedale, North Yorks. YO18 8RL. Or through secure credit card sales at www.cultfound.org Pete Bell, Cultural Foundation Records -------------------------********
	February 2004: ''Viaje'' -------------------- -------------Go lem System On a cold and wet October evening Whitby Spa Pavilion briefly became an oversized club in Raval, Barcelona with the arrival onstage of Go Lem System on their UK debut. Their sound is rooted in a mixture of styles - mestizje - there's dub, ska, loops, brass, samples, brass, guitar and vocals bound together in a close mixture of Latin, Caribbean and Spanish influences. The album Viaje was released in Spain just before they came to Whitby and it captures the 'lively up yourself' ambience of their stage performance. As that quote suggests there is a hint of Marley, there is also a hint of Manu Chao - indeed he plays on the hypnotic 'Salvavidas', but Go.Lem are more than the sum of their influences. The rhythms are tight and insistent, the standards of musicianship are high, electronic effects complement rather than overwhelm the sound, but above all they can write some decent tunes. Stand out tracks are hard to choose, but 'Sous la Pluie', for its bass line, 'Rambla Mojada' for the sheer cheeky excitement of the tune, and the last track 'See Me Dubbing' for its loping reprise of the first track, 'See Me Dying', are particular favourites. The album as a whole captures the anarchic and melodic soul of Raval on a typically Catalunyan sunny day, a sunny day with a strong hint that things need not be as they are. Go.Lem were formed by Aleko (vocals) and Serge ( guitar) in Buenos Aires in 2000. In 2001 the two of them moved to Barcelona and put together the present lineup. Having had the best selling album at Whitby Musicport 2003 they seem assured of a great future. Put a smile on your face, check out this album now. Viaje is available exclusively from Folk Devils in Whitby. Dave Longmate, Folk Devils ---------------------------********
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