Tricky - "Maxinquaye"

One of the essential albums of the '90s. Tricky's brilliant Maxinquaye. This is a 2012 remaster from Music on Vinyl. A+++

"La Bamba" Soundtrack - 1987 (new reissue)

Now playing, another new arrival. The excellent soundtrack to the 1987 film "La Bamba" featuring 8 tracks by Los Lobos + 4 other songs. Newly remastered edition, sounds fantastic. Los Lobos' cover of Ritchie Valens' title-song was a #1 single, and "Come On Let's Go" was also a substantial hit.

Japan - "Obscure Alternatives"

Now playing Japan's second album, released a mere five months after their debut, in November 1978. "Obscure Alternatives" is stronger overall than their debut and continues with the more rock-edged sound. This is a 2010 reissue from Music on Vinyl featuring a second disc with non-album singles and live tracks.

Japan - "Adolescent Sex"

Received a nice stack of new vinyl acquisitions in the mail on Friday and Saturday. Getting through them slowly. Now playing is the debut album from Japan, "Adolescent Sex." It was originally released in 1978 - this is the 2010 remaster/reissue by Music on Vinyl. It sounds magnificent. It's a unique album in Japan's catalogue, as it has a much more rock vibe than their later stuff.

Duran Duran: Ranking their Albums from Worst to First

Here is my new Metro Weekly article, ranking Duran Duran's articles from worst to first.

Link here:

Duran Duran: Ranking their albums Worst to First

U2 - "All That You Can't Leave Behind"

U2 released what is easily their best album since Achtung Baby! with 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. Seems hard to believe it's been 15 years. Several big singles: "Beautiful Day," "Walk On," "Elevation," and "Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" were all very successful. My favorite track is "Kite" - just really beautiful and powerful.

Something
Is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it is

I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did

And hardness
It sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin

I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone
Or anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Which way the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

It's somewhere I can taste the salty sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on the breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me

I'm a man
I'm not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Where the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Rooftop to the basement

The last of the rocks stars
When hip-hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
What was the big idea

Disclosure - "Settle"

WAY overdue to spin this one. What a classic.