Chromeo - Business Casual

Artist: Chromeo


Album: Business Casual


Label: Big beat / Atlantic


Release Date: 14th September 2010

Rating 4.5 / 5

Right out of the gate the opening track, Hot Mess has you pumped up and ready to hit the club.  Incorporating 80’s sounds similar to Rockwell or Art of Noise, twisting in funky Hot Chocolate riffs and smoky yet lilting vocals, this whole record is a creator of smiles and fun.  Ladies sipping cosmopolitans and gentlemen drowning in espresso martinis, clad in shiny suits and glimmering garb, the disco ball reflecting thousands of points of light, the floor fillers on this album will be the highlight of the night.  The very catchy Don’t Turn the Lights On is brimming with hooks that disallow one to stay seated for long, nor is one able to refrain from singing along.  If you like funky disco dance tunes and want to get the party jumping, rush out and get this record!

-Natty B- 

15th September 2010

Philip Selway - Familial

Artist: Philip Selway

Album: Familial

Label: Nonesuch

Release Date: 31st August 2010
Rating 4.5 / 5

Radiohead's drummer will hopefully make more records on his own, of course employing the wonderful musicians that joined him here. A soulful, charming record that will hopefully help him reach critical acclaim, I know I am really digging this! Well written songs, with gentle guitars overlapping simple beats and adding trance-like quilts of pleasure to wrap oneself in. The song Simple Life incorporates amazing layering and building from a subtle ode on up to an almost grinding slap to the face. This album soothes the soul, contemplating puffy clouds and pretty places, taking me away to a softer spot, smiling. It really brings me back to a sound not dissimilar from Donovan and other 60’s folk-rockers that wrote superbly twisting, delicacies- an array of tasty songs. A fantastic release- I look forward to more!

 -Natty B-

 15^th September 2010

Trey Songz - Passion, Pain & Pleasure

Artist: Trey Songz


Album: Passion, Pain & Pleasure


Label: Atlantic


Release Date: 14th September 2010

rating 3 / 5

The release of this album comes during a very hot ride for Trey, popular on several charts at the time it dropped, this disc will surely have several successful singles. A smooth delivery and typical lyrics will surely help remove the undergarments of some ladies who are quickly put in the mood by the silkiness of his voice. The pinnacle of this release is the huge tune called Bottoms Up utilizing some of the same attitude typically found in today’s R&B (tearing the club up, shaking jeans and Hennessey). The track is given a further push by naughty female artist Nicki Minaj. Excellent production value with some slick beats and funky fret-work, especially on the 9^th track, Made to be Together. Sure to continue to launch this artist into the stratosphere, this is a nicely put together album.
-Natty B-
15th September 2010

Luis Miguel self-titled

Artist: Luis Miguel


Album: Luis Miguel


Label: Warner Music Mexico


Release Date: 14th September 2010


Rating: 2.5/5

At 40 years old and 5 Grammys deep, this very popular Latin artist born in Puerto Rico, but now hailing from Mexico, has a scorching opening track followed by another. The very up-tempo Mujer De Fuego, (woman of fire), develops quickly with a funky fiesta followed by a group of brassy horniness not common in today’s popular music. Deep, bass-y grooves keep the drum-beat in check urging one to tap their feet and then ask for accompaniment on the dance floor. A plethora of slow jams have the artist pulling from deep within his soul, delivering a sexy and loving blanket of comfort, which is very pleasing to the ears; a great backdrop for a late-night encounter on the veranda while the palm fronds sway to the beat. The ending track seems to borrow a 70’s disco vibe once again prompting the dancing shoes to flourish underneath the strobe lights.

-Natty B-

15th, September 2010

Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies

Artist: Justin Townes Earle


Album: Midnight at the Movies


Label: Bloodshot


Release Date: 3rd March 2009


Rating: 4/5



I am really impressed with this album; JTE has obviously enlisted some amazing talent for this album, and Bloodshot Records seems to have really let him have his way with this record. The apple does not fall far from the tree in some of his writing, paying homage to his father, Steve Earle in the fourth song. Tremendous harmonies create an amazing sonic tapestry that make me urge Bloodshot to release this on vinyl so i can hear the wider dynamic range. Please? Anyway, if you like your country with a bluegrass- colored folk rock a la Americana, then you will surely enjoy this album!

-Natty B-

4th March 2009

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun

Artist: Brian Wilson


Album: That Lucky Old Sun


Label: Capitol


Release Date: 19th August 2008


Rating: 2.5 / 5



Although not nearly as entertaining as 2004's Smile this album does have several shining moments. The tune "California Role" is a lot of fun with many musical layers including a very bouncy piano. "Oxygen to the Brain" introduces the listener to a flute and a French horn, which in this day and age is very uncommon. There are many tiers throughout this recording which is very sonically pleasing! Some of the lyrics are bouncy, quirky, fun that will need to be listened to more than once. For some fans, the spoken word segments (over light musical twists) will be lost and maybe never regained. However, personally, I liked the little extra tidbits. Not the pinnacle of his career, but it is an enjoyable album and should be listened to a few times!

-Natty B-

4th March 2009

Serge Gainsbourg - historie de melody nelson

Artist: Serge Gainsbourg


Album: histoire de melody nelson


Label: Light in the Attic Records, Seattle, USA


Release Date: originally 1971, CD reissue 2009


Rating: 4.5/5


Ahh, the old adage: sex sells. This album released 38 years ago, is no exception to that rule. The best part of this album is it's longevity of like-able listen-ability. His smoky, alluring voice is still just as entertaining today as it was almost 4 decades ago. The French equivalent of Leonard Cohen at times, he weaves an amazing tapestry of vocals in his native tongue unlike anything you've heard before. The soft plinking guitars and drums make for a wonderful background to the growling vocals. Funky R&B basslines rumble along, making this a lush and joyous sonic adventure. Add in some lovely lass' lyrics on a couple of the tracks and it brings it to a complete audio orgasm. Great production from start to finish, sexy cover, in-depth and very informative liner notes- a tremendous package. A recommended soundtrack to your next romantic meeting with a woman you wish to woo- please pass the Champagne.

-Natty B.-
4th March 2009