DENNIS
EAST - Dammit I Love You (BMG)
East is quite the SA music veteran,
having produced tons of records, penning many hits and even lending his voice
to consumers (singing on ads). With a semi-rock, modern feel (but not quite),
Dennis lays out 20 tracks. Some Creedence Clearwater Revival songs get
the East make-over in a medley, while Johannes Kerkorrel’s Hoe Ek Voel
and other Afrikaans songs are also squeezed in. A dance version of Rhinestone
Cowboy will have to be judged by each listener for themselves. Unchained
Melody and A Good Heart sounds better if you hadn't heard the originals…which
goes for Creedence, and the others. Basically (besides two of his own tracks)
it’s a cover album.
- PB
1 / C
ESSENTIAL
MIX 2 - in between pulses (Primedia)
Synthetic beat-lovers and ravers
step up. DJ Paul Almeid’s 2nd installment packs in a whopping 20 tracks mixed
with a competent hand. Some of them will be familiar to many, but not necessarily
the “artists” who produced the artificially created forgettable songs. Some of
them include Mondane, Club Robbers, Hi-Per, Alarma, Loop 35, Beatbox, DJ Valium
and more. Even if you think the music’s trash, there are some cool goodies to
be won.
- PB
2 / B
ETERNITY
AND A DAY - Motion Picture Soundtrack by Eleni Karaindrou
A soundtrack
of absolute simplicity and beauty. The emotional and touching theme song is woven
throughout the 18 tracks. A lovely CD booklet contains fine stills from the film,
making it a little photo album of pictures retaining the essence delivered by
the film, the music binding its mood. Strings piano and other orchestral variations
glide through this dreamy, somber but uplifting soundtrack, making it a CD to
listen to when you’re on your own in a pensive mood.
- PB
5 / A
ETHEL
MY LOVE - ‘scuse the fun (Independent Release)
If this trio of young lads
keep it up, hone their skills and progress from this, their debut CD, they’ll
still get far. Sure, it’s not hardcore punk but a more happy, lighter side of
the genre and even if you take labels like Sugarpunk seriously, don’t let it influence
you. This CD is vibey, fun-filled and dare I say it, cute. Their everday feelings
and perspective on life is basic and personal, but by no means inferior to anything
else. I think the CD might not necessarily reflect what they can pull off live,
but is a great refelction of what they’re all about. With the album co-produced
by pop-meister Adam Lomas of Amersham, I’m not sure if they might’ve wanted it
a bit more punchy than it turned out or not. Either way, it’s commercial enough
to appeal to a wide range of listeners as well as rebellious in a nice, non-threatening
sort of way. Ethel will definitely surpass what Scabby Annie could’ve been at
the moment if they didn’t get lost in the fog. And EML’s headlights are set on
bright.
- PB
3 / B
EUROHITS
2000
If you don’t mind whether the tunes you like are done by the original
artist or not, this one might be for you. Here you get 18 rendtions as well as
a bonus 32 track summer party mix CD. Tracks like Life Is A Rollercoaster,
Breathless, Lucky, Music, Rock DJ, I Will Love Again, She Bangs and more make
up the 18 tracks on the actual purchaced CD - while I’m sure many would probably
have the bonus disc in their player more often. Otherwise, try out some original
artists for a change, if you can tell the difference.
- PB
4 / C |
