Big Audio Dynamite II The Globe CD

Big Audio Dynamite II: Mick Jones, Nick Hawkins (guitar, vocals); Gary Stonadge (bass, vocals); Chris Kavanaugh (drums, vocals).
Recorded at Sputnick Studio, The Center For Aural Arousement, and live at Alexandria Palace, London, England.
Personnel: Mick Jones , Nick Hawkins (vocals, guitar); Chris Kavanagh (vocals, drums); Gary Stonadge (vocals).
Recording information: London Alexandra Palace; Paradiso, Amsterdam [live].
The Globe marked the beginning of the second chapter in Mick Jones' Big Audio Dynamite venture and their biggest commercial success in the U.S. With Jones the only member remaining onboard, The Globe is the sound of a reinvigorated BAD, with the engaging "Rush" becoming a surprise Top 40 hit. There are plenty more worthy tracks, including the buoyant "Can't Wait/Live," the title song (which also charted), and the poignant "Innocent Child," which makes good use of a sample from Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." The songwriting is some of Jones' strongest in some time, and The Globe was possibly the strongest effort of Big Audio Dynamite (in any incarnation) and certainly their best work since their debut. ~ Tom Demalon
Borrowing from the sound that his former group flirted with on COMBAT ROCK, as well as the innovations of Manchester-based, dance-inclined acts Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses, ex-Clash member Mick Jones assembled a new version of Big Audio Dynamite to create THE GLOBE. (The original incarnation of B.A.D. disbanded in 1989.) The mix of stylistic elements and new personnel proved fruitful--the album was a success both artistically and commercially, with the single "Rush" becoming an American Top 40 hit. Samples, dance beats, rock guitar, sound collage, and Jones's keen ear for hooks all come together here.
The clubby "I Don't Know" riffs on rave beats, "Green Grass" sounds like garage psychedelia, and Queen-like operatics prevail on "The Tea Party," but the whole is passed through a sophisticated filter of electronic flourishes and postmodern rock. It's also fun to play "spot the sample" here--Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" surfaces on "Innocent Child," and the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" percolates through the title track (which also recalls hip-hop's song structures and chant-along choruses). Perhaps the most consistent and rewarding album of Jones's post-Clash career, THE GLOBE is smart, fun, and--yes--danceable.Spin (7/91) - Highly Recommended - "...[Mick] Jones' best work since BAD's debut...very strong and straightforward..."
Q (9/91) - 3 Stars - Good - "...BAD II have taken new technology and redefined the process of putting an album together....A triumph against all odds..."