Record Reviews

MADNESS ~ OUI OUI, SI SI, JA JA, DA DA LUCKY SEVEN 711297497380 (Barcode: 711297497380) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2012 This is the 10th studio album by the British Pop group MadnessFind albums by this artist. The album presents a total of fourteen tracks, three of which are described as bonus tracks. Founded in 1976 and still active today, Madness are one of the longest lasting British Pop groups with almost identical lineup over the years. This album does not feature the founding member, bassist Mark BedfordFind albums by this artist, who later rejoined the group. The songs were, as usual, written by the band members. The band was accompanied by a brass trio called Brass MonkeysFind albums by this artist, which somewhat changes the usual sound, but the music remains faithful to their familiar rich Madness soundscapes. Madness are one of the very few Pop groups I am able to listen to and enjoy after 1970s, since they embrace a great sense of British humor, superb songwriting and most importantly honesty and no BS attitude, which is absolutely unique. Although I prefer their earlier albums, this one is still well within their usual quality. Overall, anything by Madness is worth being listened to and appreciated, and loses nothing of its qualities over time. So if one feels a need for some nice entertainment and good time, with a smile, Madness are always there to fit the bill!

Updated: 25/05/2026Posted: 25/05/2026

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MADNESS ~ THEATRE OF THE ABSURD PRESENTS C`EST LA VIE BMG 4050538958959 (Barcode: 4050538958959) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the 12th studio album by the British Pop group MadnessFind albums by this artist. The album presents a total of twenty tracks, six of which are short spoken interludes. It is the first studio release in seven years. Founded in 1976 and still active today, Madness are one of the longest lasting British Pop groups with almost identical lineup over the years. The songs were, as usual, written by the band members and are all simply exceptionally crafted, with the typical “large” sound, brass support and all the paraphernalia. A perfectly crafted Pop / Rock masterpiece. Madness are one of the very few Pop groups I am able to listen to and enjoy after 1970s, since they embrace a great sense of British humor, superb songwriting and most importantly honesty and no BS attitude, which is absolutely unique. Although I prefer their earlier albums, this one is still well within their usual quality. Overall, anything by Madness is worth being listened to and appreciated, and loses nothing of its qualities over time. So if one feels a need for some nice entertainment and good time, with a smile, Madness are always there to fit the bill!

Updated: 05/06/2026Posted: 05/06/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend

NIECHEC ~ SMIERC W MIEKKIM FUTERKU WYTWORNIA KRAJOWA 04 (Barcode: 5099946461025) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by the Polish ensemble NiechecFind albums by this artist ("Animosity" in Polish), which is a quintet comprising of five young musicians: saxophonist Maciej ZwierzchowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rafal BlaszczakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tomasz WielechowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Stefan NowakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal KaczorekFind albums by this artist. The album includes nine instrumental tracks, five of which were composed by Zwierzchowski, three by Nowakowski and one comes from outside the ensemble. Before this debut album the ensemble released a five-track EP, which included some of the material present here. The album´s unusual title ("Death In A Soft Fur Coat" in Polish), is the first hint as to the album being quite unusual, which is confirmed by its musical content. It is a completely new amalgam of Jazz tradition with contemporary sound and Rock heritage and could be roughly described as Jazz-Rock (for the lack of a better label), but as it crosses genres in every way imaginable, labeling this music is futile. What is important is the fact that the album is quite stunning and fresh, which is such a rare phenomenon these days. The source of the sonic side of Niechec could be perhaps tracked back to the early 1980s and the great British band MadnessFind albums by this artist, with its distinctive saxophone front-line created by Lee ThompsonFind albums by this artist. Niechec also place the saxophone right up front, and with the lack of vocals it becomes the group´s primary voice. Although the rest of the group provides mostly the background, upon which the sax parts are based, they are all great instrumentalists and they do a splendid job indeed. The acoustic piano parts by Wielechowski are especially impressive, but the rhythm section is also truly excellent. Zwierzchowski is of course the front man here and his big, strong and impressive saxophone sound dominates the music. At times the sax is multi-tracked and the sound becomes even more massive. He uses an extensive vibrato, which is rarely used these days in Jazz and surprisingly (or not) parts of his solos are quite free form, surely not what one would expect from a Rock oriented album. He is perhaps not as technically proficient as other pure Jazz players at his age, but he has a unique voice and style, which are deadly effective and stunningly fitting for this king of music. Stylistically the music is somewhere in between Jazz-Rock and Progressive Rock, with hints of contemporary cinematic music and alternative Rock. But all these labels are simple inadequate and listening in this case is the only alternative. Expect the unexpected! Overall this is one hell of a debut album and one of the best albums released so far this year on the Polish scene. If this is the opening statement by these young lads, one can hardly imagine what the future has in store for them. Kudos and good luck! Music connoisseurs should grab this at their earlier convenience.

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