Record Reviews

KATE BUSH ~ REMASTERED PART I FISH PEOPLE 190295569006 (Barcode: 190295569006) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1978 - 1993 Released: 2018 Since this is the 6,000th review I am writing for my site I thought it should be something special, and I hope my readers will find it something worthy of the occasion. This box set collects the remastered reissues of the first seven albums by the iconic British singer / songwriter Kate BushFind albums by this artist, one of the most iconoclastic music figures in the Pop / Rock Culture. These are: "The Kick InsideFind albums with this title" (1978), "LionheartFind albums with this title" (1978), "Never For EverFind albums with this title" (1980), "The DreamingFind albums with this title" (1982), "Hounds Of LoveFind albums on this label" (1985), "The Sensual WorldFind albums on this label" (1989) and finally "The Red ShoesFind albums on this label" (1993). Bush wrote all the songs (music and lyrics) on these albums, sung the lead vocals and played the piano. The excellently remastered albums are beautifully repackaged in attractive digipaks and include the lyrics of all the songs. All seven albums are housed in a box. Over the years I have always considered Bush to be a culturally chronological "mistake", as her music from the very genesis of her creative activity, which goes back to her early adolescence, should have happened a decade earlier that it did in reality. Her music firmly belongs aesthetically, stylistically and conceptually to the Golden Decade (1965-1975) and her early albums sound like they were conceived and recorded in the late 1960s rather than in the late 1970s, when music was already rapidly deteriorating towards nihilism and anarchy. Although most of them were recorded in the dreaded 1980s, none of them suffer form the hideous synthesizer saturation, which made most of the music of that period unlistenable. In addition to her exceptional musical significance, Bush also symbolizes the very best of Feminism. From the very early age she would not yield to the male dominated world, especially that of the music business. She would start producing her albums herself, as soon as she was able to, setting her own management and publishing companies, which was completely unprecedented at the time. She was the first female singer to capture the top of the charts with self-written material. Bush did not limit her artistic aspirations only to music; with a highly developed appreciation of the Arts, she was also involved in dance, design, poetry, mime and other elements, incorporating those in her spectacular live performances. The music contained on these seven albums presents an entire universe of stylistic diversity and immense scope of genres and idioms. There is a strong British Folk influence, but also Psychedelia, essence of British Pop and Rock of the 1960s, Progressive Rock vistas, flirt with Jazz, burlesque, cabaret, some Operatic elements and of course Classical Romantic Music, strongly felt in the rich orchestral arrangements used extensively on these albums. This amalgamation of so many musical elements makes Bush perhaps the most universal European Artist of the Pop / Rock milieu ever. This is perhaps the reason why her popularity over the pond took a very long time to develop and never reached the level of appreciation she enjoys on the Old Continent. As if the music writing talents of Kate Bush were not impressive enough, she also has the most idiosyncratic, immediately recognizable vocal quality, which make her one of most unique vocalists of all times. She skillfully utilizes her voice, employing theatrics and modulation to create dramatic interpretations of her melodies, which are always exquisite and breathtaking. Altogether Kate Bush is an artistic "package", which is simply impossible to ignore. In retrospect this box set offers a capsule of music history, which remains largely unchallenged to this very day. A massive dose of superb melodies, intelligent lyrics, wonderful arrangements, masterful execution and a joy of artistic expression, that withstands the tides of time and ignores fads and fashions, which come and go, leaving the real stuff standing proud. It is hard to imagine any true music lover not being familiar with this music, alas for those who missed it, it is never too late. Generation Y and Z, who were sadly born into the non-Culture wasteland, have their share of freaks who listen to good music, hence not all is lost. We the Boomers have good music in our bloodstream, but many of us missed the 1980s and 1990s few great musical achievements. In short do yourself a favor and get exposed to this wondrous music ASAP, but be warned, as you might get addicted!

Updated: 20/04/2019Posted: 19/04/2019

CD 7 Digipak Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

KATE BUSH ~ REMASTERED PART II FISH PEOPLE 190295568993 (Barcode: 1902955689931) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2005 - 2014 Released: 2018 This box set is the second part of the collection of remastered reissues of the albums by the iconic British singer / songwriter Kate BushFind albums by this artist, one of the most iconoclastic music figures in the Pop / Rock Culture. It presents albums released after the twelve years long hiatus, during which Bush almost completely disappeared form the public eye, finally returning with her eighth studio album. This box set includes the following albums: "AerialFind albums with this title" (2CD) (2005), "Director`s CutFind albums with this title" (2011), "50 Words For SnowFind albums with this title" (2011), the live album "Before The DawnFind albums with this title" (3CD) (2016) and finally a collection of rarities called "The Other SidesFind albums with this title" (4CD) (2018). Bush wrote all the songs (music and lyrics) on these albums (except for some tracks on the rarities collection), sung the lead vocals and played the piano. The excellently remastered albums are beautifully repackaged in attractive digibooks and include the lyrics of all the songs. All eleven albums are housed in a box. For my general notes about the music of Kate Bush and her overall significance as a pivotal Artist of the Pop / Rock Culture, please read the review of the first box set "Remastered Part IFind albums with this title", which includes her early seven albums. Rising like a Phoenix from the ashes, Bush returned to the centre of the music scene in 2005, as if she never left it. Her writing talents still blissfully blooming, now strengthened by her maturity and experience. Her musical attitude, as always, combines her roots that she developed during the first phase of her career with contemporary music directions, being instantly more "progressive" than her young contemporaries. She did not give up any of her aesthetic values and made no compromises, sticking to her own artistic truth. Taking a critical glance on her past, she re-recorded eleven songs from her last two albums of the first phase of activity ("The Sensual WorldFind albums with this title" and "The Red ShoesFind albums with this title") for the album "Director`s Cut", transforming them radically using her mature and revised musical perspective, without guilt or criticism, similar to many other artists who return and revisit their older creations and create an updated versions of them. She also proved being a sensational performer and released her first live album, which is one of the most impressive concert recordings of the last decade. The four CDs of rarities are a sensational addition to her recording legacy, and a treasure chest of material for her many faithful fans and followers. In retrospect this box set offers another capsule of music history, which remains largely unchallenged to this very day. A massive dose of superb melodies, intelligent lyrics, wonderful arrangements, masterful execution and a joy of artistic expression, that withstands the tides of time and ignores fads and fashions, which come and go, leaving the real stuff standing proud. It is hard to imagine any true music lover not being familiar with this music, alas for those who missed it, it is never too late. In short do yourself a favor and get exposed to this wondrous music ASAP, but be warned, as you might get addicted!

Updated: 20/04/2019Posted: 20/04/2019

CD 11 Digibook Box Set Recommend To A Friend

YUMI ITO ~ YSLA ENJA 7831 (Barcode: 767522783124) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the fifth album by Polish / Japanese (resident in Switzerland) singer / songwriter Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist, one of the most exciting modern Jazz vocal discoveries in the last decade. The album was recorded in an intimate setting with Ito singing and playing keyboards with Polish bassist Jakub DworakFind albums by this artist and Spanish drummer Iago FernandezFind albums by this artist. Several other musicians guest on selected tracks, including Polish guitarist Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, who was her partner on her previous album. The album presents seven original songs, all composed by Ito, with six also featuring her lyrics and one being a wordless vocalese. The CD is lavishly packaged with a set of photographs and lyrics printed on a high-grade paper, as appropriate for a move to a major league of EnjaFind albums on this label Records – one of the most prestigious European labels. From the very first note of the album the listener is exposed to a magical aura of unique, delicate beauty, which last for the entire duration. The seven songs, although dominated by reflection and low-key introvert restrain, are quite different from each other and present the full creative power of Ito, who is able to write sublime melodies and tell a story, each very personal on one hand, and universal in its lyricism, on the other hand. The completely unique instrumental ornamentation, based primarily on the bass pulsations by Dworak, who does an amazing job here, and the dynamic, yet delicate drumming by Fernandez, with just some keyboard / synthesizer layers of sound here and there. This leaves the center stage for Ito’s vocal acrobatics, which are absolutely stunning but at the same time she can also be as delicate and romantic as a blossoming orchard. The music on this album is probably the farthest removed from what is considered as Jazz in Ito’s career. Still full of typical Jazzy undercurrents and rhythmic patterns, the central role of the bass, as well as the vocal improvisations, it also freely adopts other sources, mostly from Folklore and Pop, sometimes sounding somewhat similar to Kate BushFind albums by this artist at her absolutely best – which I mean as a great compliment here. Overall, this is a stunning piece of music, full of sublime musicality and exploding with talent, which in fact is hardly surprising in view of Ito’s earlier work and potential. The only small drawback is that the music lasts under forty minutes, and being so great one might have wished for so much more. But let’s be patient and wait for the next album by this young Artist, all made out of talent. Hugs and congratulations my Dear Lady!

Updated: 15/02/2023Posted: 15/02/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend