The Path of Musical Diversity

Another week, another sound. This week we're bringing you a wide range of songs and melodies, some poppy and other tracks influenced by the blues, but there's also enough for the ones who care about soul, jazz and funk. Just step into our musical rollercoaster.

The first release we present to you is Bring 'em In by the blues giant Buddy Guy. Producer Steve Jordan gave Guy the space for his own interpretations of songs written by masters of soul and R&B, namely: Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield. It's the passion which Buddy puts in the songs that starts the flow of some nicely done covers. "I Put a Spell on You" (originally from Screamin' Jay Hawkins) features Carlos Santana and together they bring this classic to another level. But he got more in store for us, just listen to "Now You're Gone" (Curtis Mayfield) and you will hear that Guy's bringing the top of his musical qualities to the record. Bring 'Em In contains the best improvisational and melodic guitar since his '60s hallmark A Man and the Blues. Besides his only original composition "What Kind of Woman Is This" the album features a number of collaborations with other artists including: Tracy Chapman (vocals), John Mayer (guitar), Keb' Mo' (guitar), Anthony Hamilton (vocals), Robert Randolph (pedal steel) and Keith Richards (guitar).  This 2LP gatefold package includes an 4 page insert.

Avril Lavigne is the fifth studio album by the musician of the same name. She incorporated electronic music and industrial sounds in her punk rock. It's an album where she's rediscovering her identity and represents her career in some of the best songs Avril Lavigne has ever written. Catchier melodies are mixed with unforgettable rhythms and thoughtful lyrics. "Let Me Go" is an example of the pain she has gone through, all packed in the breakup duet with Chad Kroeger. There's even beauty In the melodies of the piano and acoustic guitars. Another great example of her vulnerability is the piano-driven "Hush Hush", in which she emits feelings like regret, anger and hopefulness in her poppy songs. The single "Bad Girl" features Marilyn Manson on vocals. Avril Lavigne will be available as an limited edition of 3.000 individually numbered copies on silver & black mixed vinyl.

As one of the leaders of bringing the nu-metal music to a bigger audience Korn created a new way of expanding their fanbase. With The Path of Totality they stepped into electronic music and more specific the hype of dubstep. But even when they are discovering new territories their nu-metal and hip-hop roots are still alive. When they're actually working together with one of the top producers from the dubstep, Skrillex, it sounds like a classic Korn tune ("Get Up!") with some robotic dance beats. Another great example of the music of the album is "Narcissistic Cannibal" in which the sound of the dubstep movement is incorporated in the attractive sound of their metal music. It's the album as a whole that gives you the feeling that you're still listening to the aggressiveness and energy of the band Korn. The limited first pressing of 2.500 individually numbered copies is pressed on silver and black mixed vinyl.

It's 1968 when the American R&B/soul vocal group The Delfonics releases their first single hit "La-La (Means I Love You)". The debut album by the same name shows the vocal blend of the singers in their beautiful harmonies and the skills of top producer Thom Bell. Bell is the person who's also arranging and co-writing most of the material on the album. The smooth grooves and rhythms combined with the soul of the vocals would mean the breakthrough of the Philadelphia sound. "The Look of Love" and "Alfie" are two Bacharach/David classics which are outstanding in the cover versions of the band. Also wonderfully done is their cover of the Little Anthony & The Imperials song "Hurt So Bad".

Melissa Etheridge released her debut album by the same name in 1988. In no time it became a big underground success, selling over 1 million copies in the US alone. The emotional difficulties during relationships are the ones she translated to her roots rock and raw vocals. After years of struggling by playing in small venues the recognition for her music came with the singles "Like the Way I Do" and "Bring Me Some Water". Two of the strongest efforts she recorded for the album Melissa Etheridge. But there are more songs in which she shows her qualities as an musician. The folk music comes alive in "Precious Pain", while the opening songs "Similar Features" is more focused around the electric and bass guitar. With her effective lyrics and warm vocals she introduced us to the highlight of her career. The re-issue celebrates the 30th anniversary of the original album and is pressed on red vinyl in a limited run of 1.500 individually numbered copies. 

Started as a boxer in the early 50's, but eventually becoming an influential R&B singer, it's the story of Lee Dorsey. Yes We Can is an instant classic, an album of outstanding quality and recorded with producer Allen Toussaint. His backing band The Meters sets the groove for some of his most detailed funk and soul songs, including a range of instruments. The slow grooves of "Riverboat" are packed with the melodies of horns, bass lines and the breezy vocals by Dorsey. The title track is another shining pearl and eventually became a hit by the cover version of The Pointer Sisters. With the variety of sounds and moods Dorsey and Toussaint recorded one of the most sophisticated funk records of its time. This edition is pressed on green vinyl and is available in a limited run of 1.000 individually numbered copies, including an insert with song lyrics.

As the nephew of the pioneering Jamaican record producer Duke Reid, Errol Brown learned to record his own artists. And he did a great job by recording artists like Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Gregory Isaacs. The first album he produced and released in the mid 70's is Dubb Everlasting. An harmonica player takes the lead on the album and the key to the success was the crack outfit from the Channel One studio, the Revolutionaries. The group features the talents of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare and their skills can be found in the instrumental parts of the songs. There's a lot happening in the musical direction of the tracks on the album. From bass and drums to electric guitar, Brown is bringing instruments up in the mix and sparingly using drop-out. Dubb Everlasting is now available as a limited edition of 750 copies, pressed on orange coloured vinyl.

Guru will always be known as the American rapper from the East Coast hip hop duo Gang Starr. After his dead in 2010 his legend grew year by year and his solo work gained respect among the music scene. We step back to 1993 when Guru released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz. It's the album where his love for jazz influenced the complete sound of the album. The experimental fusion of hip-hop beats, rap and jazz played by a band of live musicians was never seen before in this way. Quite a few famous guest musicians are present on the album, like saxophonist Branford Marsalis, trumpeter Donald Byrd and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith. The amazing production of the album and the natural feeling of blending different sounds is nicely done in songs like "Loungin'" and "No Time to Play". It's one of the best efforts in mixing jazz and hip-hop together. The 25th anniversary edition of this ground-breaking album is pressed on blue vinyl in a limited run of 5.000 individually numbered copies.