Review: The year 1982 can definitely be regarded as a vital one for the working-class Oi-punk movement. One that saw the release of debut full-lengths from the likes of the abrasive Blitz, and the somewhat underappreciated The 4 Skins, who were endlessly plagued by a myriad of line-up shifts. By the time their second full-length, A Fistful of...4-Skins arrived, the group were already onto line-up number four (no pun intended), and this time period is where the 'Five More Years' 7" single rears its skinhead from. Topped with the anthemic opening track from the album, and tailed with the CD reissue bonus cut, 'On The Streets', this sampler/taster/snapshot/teaser/whatever else you'd like to consider it, serves as a perfect piece of oi-punk memorabilia and entry point for those who don't mind doing some of their homework in reverse. These recordings are also notable for being some of the sole studio pieces from The Last Resort vocalist, Roi Pearce, who would serve with the skins for only the one full-length, and subsequent From Chaos To 1984 live album released the following year as swansong.
Review: Neo-soul chanteuse Bette Smith is an upcoming talent who lends her tones to the blistering blues guitar work of Kirk Flecther here. The pair take on a cover of The Rolling Stones' classic tune 'Brown Sugar' and do it with real gusto. The drums smash hard, the guitar riffs are big and angular and the vocals re delivered in sleazy fashion. The Tone's quirky pop dance hit 'Dance Monkey' then gets covered don the flip and turned into a psyched out bluesy guitar number with big vocals. It's a unique rework that makes this a collectible 7".
Lucifer Sam (feat Ian Paice & Steve Hillage) (4:38)
Screamin' Ball (At Dracula's Hall) (2:19)
I Feel Free (feat James Williamson & Rat Scabies) (2:49)
Bucket O' Blood (feat Nik Turner) (3:27)
Zombie Yelp (feat Roye Albrighton & Mark Stein) (3:31)
Whistlin' Past The Graveyard (feat The Sinclairs) (4:25)
Fire (feat James Williamson, Carmine Appice & Brian Auger) (3:40)
The Monster Hop (feat Shuggie Otis) (3:31)
Curse Of The Hearse (3:49)
Mad Witch (3:09)
The Vampire (feat The Coffin Daggers) (3:00)
Late Last Night (feat Steve Hillage, Roye Albrighton, Gilli Smyth & Joel Vandroogenbroeck) (3:51)
Review: Theatrical rock icon Arthur Brown's Monster's Ball is a ghoulish masterpiece that arrives just in time for Halloween. Brown himself is joined on the album by a list of top-draw collaborators including The Stooges' James Williamson, Gong's Steve Hillage, Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner and R&B superstar Shuggie Otis. There is a mix of great cover versions here, as well as a new version of Brown's own 'Fire' tune plus plenty of newly-penned hits. It all adds up to a thrilling rock album high on drama and theatre.
As The Moon Speaks (To The Waves Of The Sea) (2:35)
Astral Lady (0:18)
As The Moon Speaks (Return) (2:36)
I Can't Feel Nothing (part 2) (1:16)
Icarus (4:37)
Raging River Of Fear (3:47)
Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air) (4:13)
Review: Captain Beyond may not be the first name on everyone's lips when it comes to supergroups, but let's break the elements down before rushing to judgment. Rod Evens, formerly of Deep Purple, Bobby Caldwell, once the Johnny Winter drummer, Iron Butterfly axeman Larry Reinhardt, and Lee Dorman - who was the bassist in that band - coming together to make outside the box guitar-fuelled sounds.
OK, so we're definitely talking about the specialist end of supergroups, but still, the moving parts here are nothing short of impressive. Forming in 1971, and releasing three records through to 1977, this album captures their essence and innovative abilities, melding hard rock, progressive, jazz fusion and space rock without coming across as self-indulgent or overblown. Hardly the easiest thing to pull off when you think about it.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.