International music reviews

I came across this L.P. by mistake. I was looking for a record by Tones on tails the song was called GO! Those who know will understand. I was young and naive and when I played this album I was dissapointed to find out it was not what I was looking for.
Needles to say Yeh-Yeh really grew on me,I was hooked!
FYI the 12" single of Yeh-Yeh has a VOCAL/EXTRA SMOOTH version of "smooth"
Also,the 12" single of Don't blame it on that girl has an extended version,and a rare groove mix of the song, and as a bonus Wap bam boogie edit and 12" version
"Indigo" was good,but "Who's side are you on" was even better.
Now about Basia.........

I've been an avid MB Fan from day one, but in my opinion they've never topped this: This collection of timeless gems is now in my third edition (the first two cd's wasted away after too much playing / travelling) and will always stay in my travel bag. There's just no bad track on this, and "Summer Song" will just simply stay in my heart as the best MB song ever.

It's a little bit of Sergio Mendes, a little bit of Basia(who got her start w/the group Matt Bianco),with a sophisticated twist of Herb Alpert and a lot of FUN & ENERGY ! Styles combined consist of Samba, Salsa, Pop, Dance with an R & B edge. The title for the instrumental Smooth summarizes the whole atmosphere and ambiance of the album.Both Mark Reilly and Mark Fisher know how to blend the best of the "Latin Sound" with contemporary adult jazz and pop. The great and questionable reason why this group has never been marketed in the U.S. is another wonder unto itself ! Matt Bianco should not be kept as an import secret...

This is a definite must have and keepsake for the import/global music collector. Matt Bianco is indeed a true talent and a rarity !

I first heard Lara's songs when I was in music school, but I have never ever heard them sung as beautifully as Vicente Fernandez. His voice is absolutely beautiful. These songs are very romantic and who has a more romantic voice than Chente !

For several months now I've been listening to this disc and comparing it to the original recordings by the master Mexican composer himself Agustin Lara. This CD stands alone by itself quite well with fine arrangements and of course, the velvety mature voice of Chente. Actually I didn't listen to compare but more to listen to the nuasances, the emphasis on certain words, the depth and clarity given certain phrases; someone wiser than me once said that the original composer/artist knows best how a record should sound. Chente is true to this formula as he interprets these classic songs from the extensive Agustin Lara catalogue. Vicente Fernandez's voice is in fine form, extending his range just enough so as to not change the integrity of the compositions by Lara. The results are signature Chente but without his long held notes, he performs on this disc with a softer edge. His voice harmonizes well with the arrangements which are reflected by the classy outfit Chente is wearing on the cover. The heavy mariachi sound usually associated with his ranchera music is missing replaced by a light orchestral sound, a subdued mariachi if you will. The softer music, the violins, the underemphasized, even muffled horns fit perfectly with the chosen songs. It is an attempt to capture the time period when these songs were originally recorded; it is quite music for romantic nights where the voice of Chente revitlaizes the spirit of Lara. It is tangos and Spanish elegance by candlelight. All of the songs are excellent, having a thematic thread running through them since most are of the bolero romantic type. These songs have been interpreted by many different people and Chente adds his own distinct signature to the list. Exceptional songs are the beautiful paso doble "Farolito," the romantic "Amor de mis amores," the gut wrenching tribute song "Veracruz," the lovely "Mujer" and the song written for the great Mexican acctress Maria Felix, who was married to Lara, "Maria Bonita." Talk about romantic, the lyrics to "Maria Bonita" are the essence of romanticism with references to their beach nights in Acapulco; it is the stuff of legend. If you like boleros than this offering by Chente will set the mood for you. A great disc by one giant voice interpreting one of the best Mexican composers. Recommended for lovers everywhere.

If you're a fan of the great Lara, than who better to interpret him than the voice of Vicente Fernandez. The songs are beautiful and the singing is great. Perfect for a romantic.

This album by Rey Ruiz is a reflection of sheer talent as a musical artist. I always believed and still do that his talent is exceptional however, he is extremely underrated and overshadowed by other salsa artists in his category. For example Jerry Rivera & Victor Manuelle. All have similar styles and elements in common however, Jerry R and Victor M had better promotions which enabled them to rise to the top. This album has salsas that are typical of Rey's style. They are slow paced, melodic,well sung and have sentimental lyrics. All the songs are delightful and the album invites you to sit back and listen to the essence of good romantic salsa. Although all the songs are excellent I must make mention of "Mal momento", "Quien lo diria" and "Si te preguntan" which are my favorites. If you like Rey Ruiz, try this album because they come like this anymore.

another terrific album. Mr Ruiz can almost do no wrong. Beautiful songs, beautifully delivered. As one of his earlier albums it again reflects a smooth, easy going style and less of the driving salsa sound he has released in recent years. A great opportunity to admire his vocal ability.

Este disco es indispensable dentro de cualquier coleccion "seria" de salsa,las 8 canciones incluidas son bien melodicas y tienen mucho sabor.Sin duda alguna este es la mejor produccion(y probablemente siempre lo sea) del Rey.THIS IS A MUST BUY.

que tal con los Babasonicos..?..tal parece que se fueron a vacacionar a la Babilonia Latina y ahi encontraron mas inspiracion de la que creian.Una vez mas nos embriagan con lounge,rocknroll ,hot road,electronica....y esas letras que parece fueron sacadas de una pelicula mexicana de drugdealers..nada mes chequen "los desfachatados"...componer en el mall es una buena idea...

Excelente trabajo del grupo. Muestra una clara madurez musical. Aca se tremina de definir el verdadero sonido "babasonico". Ac? est? todo.

Babasonicos, is one of the best exponents of ethno/experimental punk. These Argentineans have managed to keep on producing an electrifying pastiche of creative songs, within a usually conservative pop universe. From hard-rock to acoustic; from spaguetti western to grooving; from classical to rancheras; from lounge to punk... They fuse and fuse under their own magical "hybrid" spell. Refreshing music and lyrics from an exciting international group. In "Miami", they rock to the mellow atmospheres of the "altiplanic tropical" --lots of authentic "onda grossa" for Spanish/USA.

Though, Adolescents Orquesta has been called the Menudo of Venezuela, there is really a lot more to them than meets the eye. This talented group of young men really deliver! Their style is best described as smooth, sophisticated and classy. What sets them apart from the sea of salseros and salsa ensembles out there (which come a dime a dozen) is their "big band" sound. The big, brassy horn section and their subtle vocalizations is beautiful and understated. From "Anhelo," to "Me Nego," to the "Mega Mix" at the end, you will definitely want to get up and dance! I hope these men continue to make music together because they truly have a beautiful thing going on.......

Los Adolecentes is a group that my son and I can always agree on. I bought a better sound system and woofers for my car, just so that I can better appreciate the intricacies of the background instrumentation of great bands such as this. The sax deep in Personal Ideal (Me Tengo Que Ir) is swinging in the back.

Adolescents Orquesta -I love listening to them because both the voices and the music are very involved; which gets me involved. They prove that you can have musical emotion without the unnecessary drama that is a hallmark of the untalented.

Los Adolecentes is a group that my son can always agree on. I bought a better sound system and woofers for my car, just so that I can better appreciate the intricacies of the background instrumentation of great bands such as this. The sax deep in Personal Ideal (Me Tengo Que Ir) is swinging in the back.

Adolescents Orquesta -I love listening to them because both the voices and the music are very involved; which gets me involved. They prove that you can have musical emotion without the unnecessary drama that is a hallmark of the untalented.

Im so glad to buy this album. Many of these songs I found near impossible to find before. I cant think of a song I dont like, 'Ya se va' is my favourite. There are the old classics 'Costumbres' and 'Estoy contigo' and fun upbeat like 'Dime'. Selena had a voice and talent you cannot imagine. I love this album and i'd say you must buy this you have good taste!

SELENA Q PEREZ IS FAR MORE THE BEST AND ALWAYS WILL BE BUY IT ITS WELL WORTH IT

one of the best albums from tejano's bigest superstar SELENA|!
this is her 2nd album made in 1989.Don't think about it . Go out and by it right now! Try it you won't regret it.

Ben Watt and Tracy Thorn probably would have stayed their course in cultland had it not been for Todd Terry. But what he did to "Missing" should be a required lesson for all remixers; Find the heart of the song and work out from there. His mix of "Missing" did exactly that. Tracy Thorn's emotional vocal is enhanced by the textures that Terry added to the song, allowing for substantial feel from the original to remain, thus sacrificing nothing from EBTG's basic song. This was lightning captured in a bottle, and one of the best singles to emerge from the nineties.

The purest example of why this worked for Todd Terry and why - more often than not - it just sounds like dorks with computers and synths, one needs to simply compare Terry's mix to the hacknyed "Chris and James full on club mix," where every imaginable club cliche is force fed into the version they added to this single, or the "Ultramarine Mix" completely misses the song's emotional core. Get "Missing" for the sublime TT mix and just ignore the rest of them.

I to would have to say this song was a standout for EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL during
the mid 90's. Its got more than your usual (emotion) to lead the track along
and the really tasteful remixes give this song some extra, this took this group well beyond
what was there. Music lovers and those in the clubs got a taste
of an excellent band ready to evolve. Many of us new they were special. This still sounds as good today
as ever. With dance/club music busting out and the likes of Donna
Summer and Blondie coming back out with some really interesting
music it would be nice for EBTG to get back in the studio and
show em how to do it right!

And I mean it with the title. Everything But The Girl's 1994 remix of "Missing" (originally from the duo's 1994 album "Amplified Heart") is one of the best dance tracks I've ever heard. I'm not a dance music man but the famed Todd Terry remix is just stunning. With it's subtle dance beat and Tracy Thorn's emotive, sadist voice (reminisict of Sade's), "Missing" has something that most dance music doesn't have: EMOTION. The song actually sounds lonely and spare. The song just englufs you. The original version of "Missing" is very sedate and passive yet still packs the same subtle emotional wallop of Terry's remix. Even if you hate dance music, "Missing" will left you an imprint on you. This is how good music should sound.

OK, this is listed as the Hong Kong release, but I got the Australian release so who knows what you're gonna get. Either way, the track listing is the same. Everyone knows all about the regular Music album so I'm just going to review Disc 2 (the remix disc). OK,they chose to include the Deep Dish and HQ2 remixes of "Music". Those were good choices, as I think those were 2 of the best among the Tracy Young and Groove Armada ones. Either of those 4 were good choices. "Don't Tell Me" was included as the Timo Maas and Tracy Young mixes. Again, awesome choices! The vission mix would have worked too. So far so good. Now, "What It Feels Like For A Girl"..they included the Paul Oakenfold Perfecto mix, but I think Paul's Saturday Night mix would have been a better choice because 1)It has more vocals than the perfecto mix and 2)it remains unreleased as promo-only. The other "WIFLFAG" version they include is the spanish version. This was an ok choice, but I think the Tracy Young or Vission Velvet Masta mix would have been a better choice. All in all, 6 audio tracks for you to enjoy. the final thing on this disc is the video portion. It includes the full uncensored video of "What It Feels Like" along with a mini 3-image photo gallery and cute interactive menu with the perfecto mix playing in the background. Overall grade: A-

When I got this it said European edition on it so I don't know if this was marketed everywhere or not. Any way I absolutely love this album it is my favorite of hers yet!!!! I really enjoyed the bonus disc that has video on it and the remixes are great too. Go buy it you will not be unhappy. ...

This BOX SET version of Madonna's recent album "Music" is really great & cool! The BOX includes 2 CD-SET: The first one includes the traditional track listing for the album "Music" (10 tracks) and the second one includes The Remixes of hit-singles released from this album "Music, "Don't Tell Me" & "What It Feels Like For A Girl".

Track Listings Compact Disc One:

1. Music

2. Impressive Instant

3. Runaway Lover

4. I Deserve It

5. Amazing

6. Nobody's Perfect

7. Don't Tell Me

8. What It Feels Like For A Girl

9. Paradise (Not For Me)

10. Gone

Compact Disc Two:

11. Music (Deep Dish Dot Com Mix)

12. Music (Hq2 Club Mix)

13. Don't Tell Me (Timo Maas Mix)

14. Don't Tell Me (Tracy Young Club Mix)

15. What It Feels Like For A Girl (Paul Oakenfold Perfecto Mix)

16. What It Feels Like For A Girl (Spanish Version)

17. What It Feels Like For A Girl (Video)

A must have for anyone who loves Madonna. Buy it!

The CD is an inspirational work that will capture the soul of Muslims and non-Muslims alike. However, beware: Track 5 is NOT the Sura Furqan, as promised in the accompanying booklet, but the Sura Mulk (LXVII).

The opening Azan is what I heard live late one afternoon, walking out a door of the Suleimaniye Mosque in Istanbul into a magical nearly empty courtyard. This CD is in Turkish-style chant, and well worth buying. Strictly speaking, Koranic recitation is not music, but the recitation of Scripture in chant form. However, those who do not understand Arabic will still find themselves strangely and deeply moved to know more about Islam.

While not actually 'music' per se, it has been called so by the Islamic reciters in this CD. This CD also provides a detailed history of the Qur'an and Islam in general and is very educational. Also, for musicians, provides some insight into the 24 divisions of an octive - good stuff to study for the musician that is interested in world music. I plan to buy more in this series...

If you are a collector, this disc is worth owning just for the remix of "Material Girl" It's a pretty good one and i haven't been able to find it anywhere else.

After the release of her second album, Like A Virgin, Madonna was onto big things. It went on to sell 20 million copies worldwide and produce massive worldwide hit singles. Along with Michael Jackson, Madonna was undoubtedly the most famous pop star on the planet. Millions of teenage girls wanted to be like her, and all the boys fancied her - a trend that has repeated itself throughout music since with artists such as Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. The second single to be released from Madonna's second album was Material Girl. It peaked at No.3 in the UK in March 1985 and spent 10 weeks on the chart.

Material Girl opens with a traditional early-Madonna beat. It is very catchy, but all this is forgotten when Madonna begins her irresistible singing. "Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me, I think they're OK. If they don't give me proper credit, I just walk away" wails Madonna on the song's first line. It's a dominant and clear line that represents a powerful female in control of her career. Madonna was certainly that. The song builds up to its fantastic chorus and carries on with the second verse before another chorus hits. We then get Madonna's many male admirers singing "Living in a material word!" in their deep-tone voices. Madonna then takes over, before letting the men carry on. The song now has a very slow, dreamy bit when Madonna seems to drift off into Material Land before coming back to finish off the song in fabulous style.

The video to Material Girl is definitely one of Madonna's most famous. She was being compared a lot to Marilyn Monroe in 1985, so Madonna decided to embrace this and re-enact the famous steps scene from Marilyn's classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Dressed in her flowing pink gown and jewellery, she dances around the pink steps with her many male admirers. The most famous scene has to be where the men form a walk way for the star to parade down as they cover her in gifts. Overall, Material Girl is better than the song Like A Virgin in my opinion and while it might not be as famous, it certainly is very near to being so. The two songs are undoubtedly Madonna's most famous early-80's hits, and will stand the test of time.

tight Re-mix with Jellybean Benitez this compilation has a cool Mix of "Material Girl".glad to finally get this mix.Madonna has some tight Mixes from back in the day.