Thursday, September 8 2011
Sam Phillips: Solid State - Songs from the Long Play
Phillips manages to create a conflicting compilation album admired for the beauty of the music -- but with a disappointing physical packaging.
Monday, July 25 2011
Sorry Bamba: Volume One 1970 - 1979
It's starting to feel -- heady delusion -- as if the rest of the globe is going to be able to relive 1970s West Africa completely just by bouncing from label to label.
Friday, May 13 2011
Various: Dirty Water 2 - More Birth of Punk Attitude
Just ignore that cover and you'll be treated to some of the finest punk music you've (n)ever heard.
Monday, July 26 2010
Various Artists: South Africa
Framed by Putumayo, the Rainbow Nation sounds unified. South Africa presents, not so much a country, as a massive group hug.
Monday, February 15 2010
Various Artists: The Matinée Grand Prix
This Californian label doesn't make a huge noise, but its ear for indie pop is sound, and its compilations are rewarding.
Thursday, January 21 2010
Creedence Clearwater Revival: The Singles Collection
Classic songs, but do we really need another Creedence compilation?
Tuesday, December 15 2009
Various Artists: Womexizer 09
This is the collection you'd expect from a body whose aim is to put as many acts in one place as possible and present them as pleasingly as possible so that they will be written about.
Friday, October 2 2009
Various Artists: The Rough Guide to Irish Folk
Geoff Willis, the compiler, must have been aiming to put together a concise round-up of living musicians who show their own fidelity to established styles. This comes off pretty well.
Tuesday, June 19 2007
Various: Merdeka
Merdeka is a superior example of a charity comp; it doesn't leave you thinking that the compilers have tossed it carelessly together just to raise money.
