RECORDS

Rip It Up, Issue 124, 1 November 1987, Page 36

RECORDS

Bobby Womack Womagic MCA There’s one very sound reason for investing in this album: Bobby Womack’s voice. Sure, there are other soul singers more gifted technically, but I can’t thinkof any who pour out emotion any stronger within such limitations. The man ranges from a full-throated roar to a crying whisper and back again. With other singers you’d call it histrionics; with Womack it’s solid soul. The material’s nothing particular to comment on: a predominance of

stately ballads which are often not much more than vehicles for those wonderful lungs. Producer Chips Moman establishes a good variety of instrumental contexts, including a particularly effective acoustic guitar accompaniment to Womack’s own ‘When the Weekend Comes.’ But ultimately it’s still that voice that matters. Womagic may not scale the peaks of 1984’s Poet II but it’s great to know that Bobby Womack is still giving the soul mainstream a good name. Peter Thomson Atlantic Starr Ail in the Name of Love Warners Their single has to be the ballad of the year, it drips with OTT sentiment, as if they got the lyrics from one of

those greeting cards with little puppies on. A truly awesome piece of work. The rest of the album seems to be an introduction to the power of positive thinking. Check out ‘Thankful’: “It would be nice if we leaned towards appreciation / It’s not hard if we just try.” And what about ‘Let the Sun in’ with, “Lend a helping hand to someone / Try to find something nice to say.” Both written by the Lewis brothers, who are obviously not related to LL Cool J in any way whatsoever. Nice, but maybe too nice. There’s not enough funky raunch here to appeal to dance fans, except for the pop feel of 'One Lover at a Time.’ Atlantic Starr have aimed for the middle market and their aim is true if

not a bit tame. Kerry Buchanan Blood Uncles Libertine (Virgin) Debut from this Scottish trio, with main man being Big John Duncan, last seen with punk dinosaurs the Exploited. But this is a different can of worms indeed, with a hard version of Prince’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ and some weird blues jams on ‘Scars in the Morning’ and ‘Under Your Heel.’ Despite the modernist approach, the album is soaked in early 70s sensibilities, as in the Doors and Blue Cheer (remember them?), which is quite fun if you hadn’t had to live with that stuff originally. Since they’re. Scottish, the name of Alex Harvey pops up, and his ghost walks on most of these cuts.

Like ‘Danny’s Favourite Game,’ the story of an Aids terrorist. Alex would’ve liked that one. Three men and a drum machine make some interesting and threatening music. Don’t let the Exploited tag put you off. KB Anthrax Among the Li vi ng (Festival) Many people may not be able to comprehend this band. While the music is urgent intense metal, the lyrics, ideas and energy captured on Among the Living are positive, thoughtful and basically a whole lot of good fun. Anthrax aren’t into drugs, death or serious nonsense — they’d rather play their own brand of HM or even just ride their skateboards. They speed into 'Caught in a Mosh’ for the slammers and use the inspiration of

writer Stephen King in the title track ‘Skeletons in the Closet,’ which are both horribly good. Favourite though would have to be 'lndians,' with its tribal drum beats and genuine Injun Joey Balladonna singing ideally for this stuff. Main contributor to these frenzied and funny songs is Scott lan whose awareness and attitude is what sets Anthrax apart from most metal bands. GD Auckland Rumours Chic Moore, former vocalist with the Platters and Coasters who toured here, died from cancer in Auckland Nov 5. Moore, a lively personality in the Auckland club music scene since his emigration here a few years ago, wrote a song for singer Frank Jade just before his death.