IPhone 3G used's review (This man is AMAZING!!!) 『I have had the benefit of seeing him perform with as well as without the New World Renaissance band, and all I can say is; he's -enchanting!!- I have all of his CDs and just cannot get enough of his beautiful voice, skillful pronunciation of ancient dialects, and inspired, emotional renditions of pieces that I never would have known existed without is engrossing song. His artistry and musicianship are impeccable, and he puts his soul into every word. You'll feel it even if you don't speak the language or know the lyrics- he'll capture your heart and imagination too! Take a listen!! :D』
(One of the Best of the Renaissance Faire Performers) 『I have to admit I have a real weakness for Owain Phyfe. From the first time I heard him sing at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire I knew I had to own every CD that he put out. He carefully researchs and finds music of the era and then his beautiful voice and his friends musical talents go to work. Any one who enjoys folk, classical voice or just really great singing will love this album.』
(Indescribably soothing and beautiful) 『This c.d. is a collection of lovely songs in a variety of languages. Owain Phyfe's voice moves effortlessly over the lyrics, accompanied by skilled instrumental musicians. I had the opportunity to see this man live at a renaissance faire, and it was an unbelievable experience. He's one of the few performers who sounds as good live (if not better) as he does on c.d. His voice is ethereally beautiful!!! I recommend all four of his c.d.'s. When I saw him live, I got to pick the language for one of his songs...I chose Latin, and he proceeded to sing a gorgeous, haunting tune from the "Odyssey" c.d.』
(A pleasant reprieve from the cares of the everyday world.) 『I have turned to this melodious CD many times to find a pleasant reprieve from the cares of the everyday world. Open the CD, note the stylized Tudor Rose which epitomizes the music of this very gifted group. You easily see that something old and familiar has been transformed into a fresh creation, yet remains faithful to its origins. The album contains several songs by popular Elizabethan composers John Dowland and Thomas Campion. Dowland has been praised for his "heavenly touch upon the lute", and these talented musicians are surely no less divine.』
Kakaku：1198 saved$11.98
Rhino/Wea UK
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (It is what it is) 『Having heard "she comes in colors" I wondered what other "gems" might lurk on the CD. I found few. I did like "andmoreagain" and a few others had a nice beat. I found this to be one more CD where a one hit wonder (she comes in colors) led me to believe that maybe I would find something more on the CD. Would I buy it again knowing what I know now - yes. It was worth buying just for listening even if I didn't find anything else to compare to "she comes in colors".』
(Songs to love!) 『The best by one of the best bands of the sixties... four songs from their absolute masterpiece "Forever changes" and other lovely psychedelic gems... Dream on with "Andmoreagain"...!!!』 『Digitally remastered anthology of the Arthur Lee fronted band's best from the Warner/Elektra music archives, with 14 standout tracks including 'Hey Joe', 'Seven&Seven Is', 'My Little Red Book', 'Orange Skies' and many more. Wea. 2005.』
Kakaku：2198 saved$21.98
Atavistic Records
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (The Vandermark 5's finest record to date.) 『"The Color of Memory," the eighth official studio recording by the Vandermark 5, is coincidentally both the band's first double album of original material and the last to feature original trombonist Jeb Bishop (Chicago based cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm is slated to be Bishop's replacement in the future). It is also the ensembles most accessible and enjoyable recording to date. Full of up-tempo swing, intricate but memorable horn charts and plenty of lyrically intense soloing, it is perhaps Vandermark and company's finest statement with this line-up.
Vandermark has long demonstrated an affinity for writing catchy, cross-over tunes that appeal to a younger, hipper audience. Despite their multi-part, suite-like structure, Vandermark's writing always employs traditional elements that are recognizable even to casual jazz fans. The pieces featured on this double album were partially inspired by a tour with Norwegian avant jazz ensemble Atomic, with whom Vandermark collaborated on 2004's "Nuclear Assembly Hall." Falling on the jazzier side of the tenuous rock/jazz divide, Atomic's influence on Vandermark is apparent here. His decision to forsake rock oriented structures (prominently featured on earlier releases when Jeb Bishop doubled on electric guitar) to focus on a swing based feel results in an album that is infectious and consistent in its sound.
Opening with "That Was Now," a hard charging riff driven by the sort of obtuse, lurching funk Vandermark and his cohorts excel at, the piece moves suite-like through numerous motifs, yet always keeps the listeners attention. Among the highlights: David Rempis' spiraling, acerbic unaccompanied alto sax cadenza, a spastic, stuttered bass and drum breakdown, Jeb Bishop's menacing, muted, gutbucket trombone excursion and Vandermark's own frenetically multiphonic baritone solo. Between each transition, the principle theme is resurrected to provide a sonic sign post for the listener.
Vandermark always acknowledges his influences, most notably by dedicating his compositions to specific artists, and this album is no exception, but it is in his ensemble writing that his inspirations become most apparent. For example, "Suitcase" and "Chance" emulate a classic West Coast Swing vibe, with their catchy melodies and snappy delivery. "Suitcase" even opens with an angularly funky bass clarinet solo from the leader that would make Eric Dolphy proud. Similarly, "Chance" conjures the ghost of Charles Mingus with its sombre finale. With pieces dedicated to such diverse artists as Art Pepper, Nina Rota, Ray Charles and even The Volcano Suns, this all-encompassing appreciation of Vandermark's helps to expand the stylistic reach of this set of free-bop well past its central focus. Vandermark is never a slave to his influences however, as his explosively intervallic tenor solo on "Burn Nostalgia" demonstrates. Dedicated to Art Pepper, the tune burns at a fearsome energy level its dedicatee never would have imagined in his own music.
Only "Road Work" and the opening half of "Camera" drift into austere modernity. Bowed cymbals, skittering percussion, arco bass harmonics, muted trombone and slinky clarinet lines trade pointillistic shards with one another throughout. But even "Camera" eventually explodes into blistering free-bop featuring another of Bishop's lyrically intense trombone solos.
Except for these few, short chamber-esque excursions, the majority of tunes on "The Color of Memory" are primarily driven along by an ebullient sense of swing. Kent Kessler's walking bass patterns veer from smoky, noir groove to break neck runs with Tim Daisy in full pursuit. Whether bludgeoning his toms into submission or hammering away manically on his ride cymbal, Daisy delivers elastic rhythms with Kessler that both support and challenge their companions' solo flights.
Vandermark's skill at combining intricate, interlocking structures with accessible arrangements is becoming more apparent with each release. With snappy horn hits and melodically concise riffs backing featured soloists at regular intervals, these pieces have a historically aware, semi-nostalgic vibe that the writing of his peers sometimes lacks. This dedication to the form is the secret to The Vandermark 5's popularity.
While this might be the best place to start for those new to Vandermark's music, the only drawback is the double disc price, which is technically unnecessary, since all eight pieces total eighty minutes and could have easily fit on one CD with some minor editing. Nonetheless, "The Color of Memory" is The Vandermark 5's most enjoyable record to date, long time fans will be pleased and novices will find a wealth of riches awaiting them.』
Kakaku：1898 saved$18.98
Pacific Moon [Alleg]
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (If A Cloud Of Butterflys Could Sing) 『I ordered this by mistake, but when I listened to it I was simply entranced. The emotional range is so gorgeous and yet so soothing. I take it with me whenever I go to acupuncture. Ahhhh. I know my chi will flow better just listening to it. I love listening to the koto anyway, and this way it, where it is a tunned a little more to suit the Western ear, it is divine.』
(Haunting, melodic) 『This album will transport you to a quiet space on mossy banks under the falling red leaves of a Japanese maple. Mizuyo's contemporary koto respects the traditions that engendered it and avoids new-age smugness. It deserves repeated listening. A lovely album and companion to her Buddhist-chant inspired Uttara. I had to shop in Tokyo to find these, so I'm delighted they are available in the U.S. through Amazon.com.』
(Haunting, melodic) 『This album will transport you to a quiet space on mossy banks under the falling red leaves of a Japanese maple. Mizuyo's contemporary koto respects the traditions that engendered it and avoids new-age smugness. It deserves repeated listening. A lovely album and companion to his Buddhist-chant inspired Uttara. I had to shop in Tokyo to find these, so I'm delighted they are available in the U.S. through Amazon.com.』
(It grazed my cheek like a gentle wind.) 『I listened to this CD in Jukebox and decided I must have it yesterday. So calming, such beauty, how blessed this artist is to have such a talent.』 『You can feel nature alive in the sound of the koto. Let its soothing energy surround and nurture you.
Most kotos have 13 strings, but the recordings for this album were made with a 25-stringed koto, and in its chords, one can hear sounds of refreshing spring breezes. There is a wide range of notes from the upper and lower registers of the instrument, and as such, it may at times remind you of the harp. The combination of notes produced by the 25 strings springing into the air and disappearing as they go is certain to let you forget your stress and tension, and allow you to enjoy a time of relaxation and ease.
To enhance your enjoyment of the music, fragrant incense sticks are included in the spine of the CD jewel case.』
IPhone 3G used's review (This Band Could Kick Limp Bizkit's Ass) 『One Minute Silence is a band I guarantee you've never heard of. Their music is very original and everyone should own a copy of this CD. All the members of this band are good, especially the bassist and the vocalist known as Yap. Yap is a much better rapper than Fred Durst will ever be. Good tracks on this CD are "New Dogs New Tricks", "South Central", "Stuck Between A Rock And A White Face", "A Waste Of Things To Come" and "And Some Ya Lose". This is what good rap metal should sound like. It sucks that they broke up, though...』
(Ripping rap) 『OMS are definetly one of the best british rap metal acts that ever existed. Too bad they broke up though...anyway, i bet the individual members of OMS will form killer new acts, thats something to look forward to, eh?
Anyway this album shows how OMS has matured during their 3 albums and blended it into a unique sound.
This is another essential british album and the band certainly rival america's best.
Buy it.』
(Dissapointing but Ok) 『From the Reviews I believed this would be a great Cd, but personally I found it very dissapointing, Though they have some good lyrics, the rest of their sound is lacking, the Riffs are repetetive and tired, and the sampling used often gets annoying.』
(Please remain calm !) 『I believe this is the British equivalent of System of a Down. They do rap-metal, but they mess around a lot just like System of a Down. This band is really creative and manages to sound fresh among every other rap-metal bands (mostly american bands). However, I do not care much for their first record even though there are amazing songs on here. Why ? Because I've heard their second album, Buy Now... Saved Later. That one is so good it overshadows Available in All Colors. But still, their debut is worth checking out.
It's One Minute Silence's style to start off with a bang, and they do. But things really start to go crazy with Stuck Between a Rock and a White Face, the song that made me discover this band and want to hear more (for a good reason). The two songs after that, A More Violent Approach and Norf*****mality are as good as Stuck Between... At that point, you'll have heard all One Minute Silence has to offer here. The other songs are pretty good too, it's just that they won't sound so fresh after the first five songs. But, hey, if you like the style (and you probably will) every track here is worth listening to.
If you have to buy only one One Minute Silence album, check out Buy Now... Saved Later. But, just like any System of a Down offering, it will make you want to hear more. Available in All Colors is a good choice. And by the way, if you have the chance, check out this band live. Then, you too will have trouble remaining calm.』
(Some people really don't know what they are talking about :P) 『When it comes to Metal/Rap, OMS set the standard. People compare them to RATM and Limp Bizkit, but they are far above that. Their politcal views shine through and their sound it adictive to say the least. Anyone who thinks they are "A substandard Rage Against the Machine" or something along those lines really doesn't listen to the messages in thier songs and hasnt seen them live! They give off a great vibe, an innovative show and their Pit Crew allways leave you smiling, or bleeding ;).』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
