Ritchie10 ans plus tard - A man on a mission --------------------------------------------------------------------------------If anyone had any doubt, it is evident that Jean H. Richard, alias Ritchie is a man on a mission, a mission to elevate Konpa Direk to its highest level. Witness the introduction to his newest release, Ritchie - 10 ans plus tard. He asks his child if he knows who Ulrich Pierre-Louis; he does not know. Yet, when asked if he knows who Michael Jackson is, the child lights up and become enthousiastic: Michael Jackson, yes! That is why Ritchie tells his fellow musicians that there is a whole lot of work left to do to bridge the gap. He certainly contributes to that goal with his newest CD. Whether he plays with his group, Zenglen, or whether the CD is under his name, Ritchie remains a force for progress in the evolution of Konpa. His music is full of purpose, it is entertaining; it is creative. Apart from the excellent crew from Zenglen, Ritchie is backed by an excellent cast of Konpa heavyweights who contributed to this project. We find among them Loubert Chancy, Isnard Douby, Dadou Pasquet, Gabriel Laporte, Dadou Pasquet, Shedley Abraham, Yves Abel, Stanley Toussaint and so many more. The music is very well put together and reflects Ritchie's maturity and sense of creativity. Listen for example to tune No. 5, Cap-Hai¯tien, je t'aime, a song that will particularly please inhabitants of the city of Henri Christophe. Guitarist Sanders Solon does a wonderful job. The brass section throughout the CD is just excellent and plays some wonderful lines. Tune No. 6, Gen moun li bay, is a perfect example. Tune No. 9, Linite, is one my favorites on the CD. Top Alderman and Dadou Pasquet surpass themselves. The lyrics show how deep and thoughtful Ritchie's writing can be. Tune No. 11, The Truth is a real revelation and offers another glimpse of Ritchie's musical complexcity. A mix of funk, jazz and Haitian folkloric beat, the song seems to be a nice synthesis of Ritchie's musical mind, a mind that is open, inquisitive and creative. The song reminds me a lot of the famous "Jazz Crusaders" and the late pianist Joe Zwazinul. And speaking of versatility, Ritchie's talent as a composer and arranger is on display once more on this CD. Indeed, of the 12 songs on the album, 8 were written by him, and the rest arranged by him. That is impressive! You can hear how much care he gives to his work. Moreover, this attention to details in the songs do not cover only the melody, but the lyrics as well. They are most meaningful. This is an aspect that many konpa groups need to work on. Ritchie's CD is dedicated to the memory of the late great Maestro of the Orchestre Septentrional, Ulrick Pierre-Louis. In his own way, in accordance with his own feelings and in his own style, Ritchie could not pay a better tribute to this legendary musician. As far as I know, he is the first Konpa artist to actually dedicate a CD to the memory of Ulrick Pierre-Louis who only a few months ago passed away. I expect that in the coming year, there will many more tributes of that nature from Haitian artists of all stripes. This CD is another hit from Ritchie to hit the market. The mixing is very good and it is most entertaining. You will enjoy it from the first song to the last. Do not hesitate to add it to your collection. Help fight Haitian CD piracy, it is bad for everyone. Serge Bellegarde for Windows on Haiti, January 2010

Track Listing of songs: Magic; Magic; Magic; Magic; Magic; Magic;

Personnel: Artist (vocals); Shade (guitar); Desi Monster (keyboards, tambourine); Anna Vrilijik (background vocals). 2nd Single

Track Listing of songs: Doof; Supa Richie; Aus Aina Andan Welt; Lach Isch Oder Was?; Numma Ains; Fragän; Ärwalkschu; Füssä; Ingwasion; Artists Wältraisä; Isy; Äläcktro Artist; Schiss Pärückä; Wundaschönä Weihnachtenzeit;

Track Listing of songs: Sicherheitshinweis; Haareschneiden; Silberhochzeit; Kalorien; Brotchen; Teufelskreis; Oma; Nasen; 3-Tage-Bart; Taxi Tortour; Hitzewelle; Freibad; Arschbombe; Gummitiere; Grillen; No Woman No Cry; Videothek; Videorekorder; Krieg der Sterne; Computer; Telefon; Rollerblades; Altenheim; Cabrio; Thermalbad; Waschanlage; Perla NR. 798; Flugzeug; Ferienanlage; Strandverkaufer; Goldkettchen; Tauchkurs; Schlauchboot; Ospenstich; Urlaubstips; Fur Perlan; Fur Schlubmachen; Fur Namen und Adressen; Fur Labarei; Fur Alle;

Digitally remastered by Doug Schwartz (MCA Studios, North Hollywood, California). The Masterdisc version of LONDON SESSIONS contains 3 bonus tracks from Howlin' Wolf's 1974 release, MUDDY AND THE WOLF, LONDON REVISITED. This deluxe edition contains newly remixed bonus tracks from LONDON REVISTED, and previously unreleased remixes from the original session tapes. For the casual blues fan with a scant knowledge of the Wolf, this 1971 pairing, with Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones, Ringo Starr, and other British superstars, appears on the surface to be one hell of a super session. Although that's not really the case, it's nowhere near as awful as some blues purists make it out to be. ~ Cub Koda Recorded in Olympic Sound Studios, London, England in 1971. Originally released on Chess (60008). Includes liner notes by Don Snowden. Recorded at Olympic Sound Studios, London, England in 1970. Originally released on Chess Records. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl. Personnel: Howlin' Wolf (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Eric Clapton, Hubert Sumlin (guitar); Jeffrey M. Carp (harmonica); Joe Miller, Jordan Sandke, Dennis Lansing (horns); Steve Winwood (piano, organ); John Simon, Lafayette Leake, Ian Stewart (piano); Bill Wyman (bass, shaker, cowbell); Klaus Voorman, Phil Upchurch (bass); Charlie Watts (drums, congas, percussion); Artist (drums). Personnel: Howlin' Wolf (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Eric Clapton, Hubert Sumlin (guitar); Jeffrey M. Carp (harmonica); Joe Miller, Jordan Sandke, Dennis Lansing (horns); Steve Winwood (piano, organ); Ian Stewart, Lafayette Leake, Phil Upchurch, John Simon (piano); Bill Wyman, Klaus Voorman (bass); Ringo Starr (drums); Charlie Watts (percussion)

A strange album, this one -- or maybe not so strange in light of the future, but still odd. Whatever bandleader Phil Owen was on at the time, it helped in creating an album that in its own way almost predicted nu metal, though without that particular compressed explosion Ross Robinson brought on the production front to Korn and Limp Bizkit. Instead, it's an uncredited Al Jourgensen effort that, with the occasional samples and general noise level, is pretty well in keeping with his contemporaneous Ministry and particularly Revolting Cocks work, though without the chaotic level of detail expected from those bands. Songs like the catchy enough riffing of "Chemical Imbalance" are more straight-ahead charges that aren't industrial rock, per se, and the trebly sound on "Shit Authority" suggest demos only slightly cleaned up. If anything, Stupid People Shouldn't Breed is a more hip-hop dabbling and less completely powerful romp through what Pantera was getting up to -- and if more of the album sounded like that band's "Fuckin' Hostile" it might actually get somewhere. The B-boy posing is a bit silly, though that never stopped, say, Infectious Grooves, but nobody's ever going to mistake the MCing on "I Got It Made" or the ham-handed-and-a-half let's-all-stand-together "Fight da Suckas" for Ice Cube. There are some moments of murky metal drama that make welcome additions -- the echoed, slightly doomy verses to "Stand Tall," for instance -- while "Poundsauce" and "Loudspeaker" distill everything down to a good simple formula that works. However, more common is the intentionally ridiculous attitude and lyrics to a song like "Horny for Evil," which added to the utterly generic thrash metal breaks just provokes a shrug rather than entertainment value. ~ Ned Raggett All songs written by Skatenigs. Personnel: Johnny K (percussion). Skatenigs: Phildo Owen, Billy Jackson, Chris Chambers, Lance Von Moulder. Additional personnel: DJ Jason Wolford (scratches), Johnny K. (percussion), Lorri Jackson, Christophe, Abner, Artist, Stu, Jessica, Deutsch Mark, Ice Baby, Panic, Brian, Ted, Sweet Caroline (background vocals), Keith Dailey, Ralph Ekakiadis, Chip Fischer, Joe Belly.

Mexican electronic pop trio Belanova established themselves as an appealing act with their debut album, Cocktail (2003), and its chart-topping single, "Tus Ojos." With their second album, Dulce Beat, however, they establish themselves as downright irresistible, as the album includes about a half-dozen songs just as infectious as "Tus Ojos." Vocalist/songwriter Denisse Guerrero, programmer/keyboardist Edgar Huerta, and bassist Ricardo Arreola possess a clear talent for sticky-sweet pop music. Their songs are simple and to the point, which is, of course, the hooks, which in almost all cases are instantly memorable. None more so than that of "Por Ti," a song that demands endless plays (and if not on your iPod, then in your mind, where it will likely be lodged for longer than you may like). In addition, "Niño," "Soñar," "Miedo," and "Me Pregunto" -- literally every other song of the 11-track Dulce Beat -- likewise boast memorable hooks so effervescent you feel as though you're floating lightly in the air as you listen along. There's no single quality that makes these songs so magnetic; rather, it's a combination of Guerrero's pixyish ...

"Laika Come Home".Remixed,Dub Reworkings Of Debut +1 Hidden Gorillaz: 2D, Noodle, Russel, Murdoc (a.k.a. Damon Albarn, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Sky Edwards, Dan The Automator). Space Monkeyz: Darren, Artist, Gavin (various instruments, programming). Producers: Dan The Automator, Tom Girling, Jason Cox. Personnel: Miho Hatori,...

Recording information: La Cloaka. Photographer: Ivan Moreno. Rapsusklei: Hazhe (scratches). Additional personnel: Erick Beeler, Esa Bea, Dimecres, Karty, Sarkete, Hoskar, Saxofon Concentus, Johan, Napo, Noe, Artist, Sharif, Babu.

Lyricist: Wisdom in Chains. Personnel: Artist (vocals, guitar); Mad Joe (vocals). Audio Mixer: Artist Rescigno.

Producers include: Tommy Sims, Darwin Hobbs, Bernie Herms, John Williams, Danny Weatherspoon. Personnel includes: Darwin Hobbs (vocals); Shirley Murdock (vocals); Tommy Sims (acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums); Byron Sowell (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Marvin Sims (drums); Javier Solis (percussion); ...

Track Listing of songs: In-Tro; Quiero Hacerte el Amor; Ponerte a Perriar; Gistro, El; Titerito, El; Besame; Hora de Bailar, La; Dem Bow; Midtro; Pa'Que Aguante; Zona de Maliante; Chiquita; Hora de Montarla; Ven Conmigo a Bailar; Se Atrevida; Buscando Una Gial; ...

Parental Advisory Engineers include: Chop Shop, Icy Hott, Sherm. Personnel includes: Big T, Doug E. Fresh, C-Note, Papa Reu, Lil' Flip, Lil' Flex. Producers include: Chop Shop, Jhiame, Icy Hott.

Incredibly catchy, but -- similar to fellow northeasterners H2O -- not in a way that fits into any predetermined Epitaph or emo mold, Knuckle Sandwich's main problem is having a name that says nothing about the music. It's not brutish ...

SLAM! is available exclusively at www.kivelrecords.com. No More Johnny: Chris (vocals, keyboards); Paul (vocals); Scott (guitar); Perry (bass); Artist (drums). Additional personnel: Bill "Sven" Frohlich (bass); Lexington Frebasa (drums).

Personnel includes: Artist, Antti, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Carl Verheyen, Dan Gilbert (guitar).