Night Beat

1. Mu-Ziq- Roy Castle*
2. Ghostface Killah- Gunz 'n Razors
3. LCD Sound System- Someone Great
4. Plaid- Ralome
5. NEU!- Negativland
6. The Young Rascals- Good Lovin'
7. Count Five- Psychotic Reaction
8. The Zombies- Tell her no**
9. The Temptations- I can't get next to you***
10. Marvin Gaye- Inner City blues (make me wanna holler)
11. Robert Wilkins- That's no way to get along
12. John Fahey- Days have gone by****

* Mike Paradinas a.k.a. 'Mu-Ziq' made a series of good albums in the early to mid-90's
ranging from complex and layered electroncia to more playful and offbeat tracks.
I particularly like his debut 'Tango 'n Vectif' from 1993 and the album this track is taken
from, his 1995 album 'In Pine effect', his debut is surprisingly well rounded considering
the lofty ambitions he outlines in the liner notes, while the sound is fairly heavy throughout
it never gets boring.
'In pine effect' was released a year after his second album 'Bluff Limbo' which was released
on Richard D. James label 'Rephlex', his second doesn't appeal to me very much, he seemed to
lose focus a bit after 'Tango 'n Vectif' - the more ambient tracks don't hold your attention
and the beats/production are not as concise as they could be. His '95 LP is much richer and
varied in content with funky throwaway pop and some lovely, warm downbeat electronica
sitting beside more dub orientated tracks. A fine intro into a career that has become a bit hit
and miss.

** The most underrated pop group of the mid sixties, they released a slew of great singles
and some decent albums to boot. Tracks Like 'She's not there' & 'Tell her no' both from
1964 and 1965 B-side 'I must move' and the single 'Just out of reach' showed that
guitarist/songwriter was a singular talent and Lead Vocalist Colin Bluntstone posessed
real charisma. Great lyrics too!

***This is a track taken from the second great phase of the Temptations career, gone was
the rampant ego mania of vocalist David Ruffin and the twee bubble gum pop of the
mid sixties, to be replaced by the powerful vocal of Dennis Edwards and the more
socially concious song writing that was becoming more prevelant at Motown at the time.
Songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barret Strong helped shape the new direction
the group was heading in by letting them sing about issues they felt strongly about, namely
the struggle for racial equality and a black man's place in modern america. The composition
and structure of the songs matched this found ambition and maturity, the group had a lot
more input into the songwrtiting process whereas before they waited patiently for the likes
of Smokey Robinson and Holland/Dozier/Holland to provide them with their next big hit.
Albums like 'Cloud Nine' from 1969 and 'Psychedelic Shack' from 1970 are great examples
of their new sound, replete with great vocal performances, excellent tracks and quality
production.

**** A stone genius, much of his 60's and 70's output is a absolute delight, Instead of waxing
lyrical about the great man i'll post a few of his tracks. Enjoy!