Prophets & Profits [Import]

Product Description
The living legend of true-skool and conscious hip-hop, KRS One, offers up his new album, Prophets Vs Profits. This album contains 13 tracks that deal with the seemingly endless conflict between the conscious emcees and commercial rappers. A really powerful production, programmed by Soul Supreme, Da Beatminerz, A Sharp, Pleasure King, Alumni, J Roc and Mad Lion, all recorded at Pride Rock studios in L.A. Look out for the Aretha samples on the track 'I Remember'. Nocturne. 2005.

Tracks:

Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja
The Fake Sound Of Progress
Five Is A Four Letter Word
...And She Told Me To Leave
Kobrakai
The Handsome Life Of Swing
A Thousand Apologies
Still Laughing
For Sure
Awkward
Ode To Summer

Amazon.com

The Lostprophets CD booklet proclaims: "6 bored kids = melody-aggression-emotion-energy-intelligence." What it doesn't say, but should: "If you like Incubus, you'll like Lostprophets." The British outfit mines much of the same territory as their more thoughtful nu metal, new millennium brethren, mixing an earnest Incubus hippie vibe with Creed-like sincerity and dash a of Faith No More oddity and syncopation for a commercial, if not groundbreaking, sound. Vocalist Ian Watkins has personality and passion and the band's playing is crisp and dynamic. Turntables, loops, and keyboards lend depth and hip-hop flavor to the melodic, tightly wound rock. The 11 songs here are all uniformly strong and intense, if not always deep and unique. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews:

Great Alternative Album.......2006-12-19

Obviously not touching on the greatness of Start Something but still a Great debut from the welsh rockers. You can really hear the evolution from this into Start Something.
If you like We Are Godzilla, You Are japan and Ride on Start Something, then this album is definately for you.
Standout Tracks:
Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja
The Fake Sound Of Progress
Five Is A Four Letter Word
And She Told Me To Leave
Ode To Summer

Good stuff, i must say..........2006-11-02

This is just an amazing Cd through and through. The vocals are fresh and nice and lyrics are good. THe guitars are pounding and heavy oen moment and soft the next, same thing goes for the drums. Track 1,6, and 11 are in my view the best songs on this CD, escpecially track 1. This Cd is their best, though start something is pretty good too. Liberation TRansmission on the other hand isn't that great...but I wont get into that since I'm writing a review for Fake Sound of Progress.

Out of Fake Sound of Progress and Start Something, Start Something is definatly more catchy at first and you like it right away. Fake Sound of Progress, on the other hand, not so. Start something was the first of their albums I heard and I loved it. So then I checked out this CD. The first song was instantly a favorite. The openng riff was awsome and the whole song was just great for rockin out. But then after that, all the other songs just didn't catch my attention and I wasn't into to them to much. But after some more listens, this Cd grew on me. So while before I wasn't into this CD that much, now im obsessed with it. So don't judge this one on first listen because if your like me, it may need to grow on you.

Excellent.......2006-07-31

Recieved the CD, no scratched no damage to the case, excellent condition and prompt delivery

One of the best nu metal albums ever!.......2006-07-04

I first heard 'last train home' by lostprophets and instantly loved it. I then borrowed fake sound of progress and was surprised at the unexpected heaviness. I love most of the songs on the album as they are a great blend of hard nu metal, emo, and balladery. I also thought the guitaring sounded very original aswell as the combination of a clean guitar and a distorted guitar provided a real brilliant contrast.This was the best lostprophets album whereas the others are more commercial and not as aggressive( though they are still ver good) so I would recommend this as the lostprophets album to buy.Also, at concerts the fake sound of progress really gets the pits going!

Great debut album.......2006-02-25

I was introduced to this band a couple years ago by a friend and I really liked thier heavy sound with Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja. So I bought this CD and was very impressed. The singer has a very distinct voice that switches from melodic to powerful screaming that keeps me interested. Plus they have real heavy guitar riffs that punch you in the face. I also own Start Something and this is much better I think.
Fav songs: Shinobi, Five is a four letter word, Kobrakai.

Average customer rating:

This album made me have an eargasm...
NOT A FAN OF SAGE FRACIS BUT THE ALBUM WAS O.K.
Sage Francis + Joe Beats
Fresh
Hip Hop Classic.

Hope
Non-Prophets
Manufacturer: Lex Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Personal Journals
A Healthy Distrust
Shadows On The Sun
E&A
Champion

ASIN: B0000B17MO
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Intro
Any Port
Damage
That Ain't Right
Disasters
Fresh
Mainstream 307
Mill
Spaceman
Xaul Zan's Heart
New Word Order
Tolerance Level
Cure
Outro

Customer Reviews:

This album made me have an eargasm..........2006-12-13

This is truly a hot album. A couple of my favorite tracks are "Tolorence
Level" and "The Cure". The whole album is extremely tight. This album
has a different flavor from most Hip Hop. Check out "The Cure" to see
what im saying. "Mill" is a little goofy, which im sure was their point
but thats the only track that i'll skip through. The rest of this album
is pure BUTTER. You wont hear any words ending in "izle", Sage will not
be ryhming about b*tchs and hoes. This is what Hip Hop should be. Buy
this cd and you'll be a happier person and the world will be a better
place in which to live..........

NOT A FAN OF SAGE FRACIS BUT THE ALBUM WAS O.K........2006-05-19

don't get me wrong,sage fracis has skill but it's just suntin' about that cat that doesn't sit well wit me.i usualy can't stand him,but on this album i could tolerate him.the production and the cuts were excellent.it took a few listens to get use to but slowly grew on me.i give it 4 stars for production alone,but then again i do have a bias.definately worth checking out though.

Sage Francis + Joe Beats.......2006-04-19

Hope is a very well rounded album. Lyrically, a bit of a departure from Personal Journals, but that is certainly the intention, as Sage has a different identity when partnered with Joe Beats. Sage tackles a maelstrom of personal and industry beefs, over hard hitting tracks occasionally assisted by Sixtoo. Hope is chock-full of metaphors, and may not necessarily make sense upon the first couple of times that you listen to the album, but this really does not detract from it overall. "Spaceman" is such an example, although the beat is dizzingly superb, and I'm fairly convinced that the track addresses a certain ex of Sage's. My favourite track is "the cure", which contrasts a lovers' pessimism from both gender- divided points of view.

Fresh.......2005-12-28

This Non-Prophets lp is it. Its different then Personal Journals which is great but its that style and wordplay on this cd. Its not as personal or deep. He hooks up with Joe Beats and creates a underground classic cd. They talk about how ridiculous this commercial b.s. is. Its a slept on classic that will never receive its just do. I dont know about you but I dont see Sage and Beats going on 106 and Park anytime soon you know. Its not their style its not BET's style either. Too bad because that BET is garbage. Underground needs a network but would that be contradictive?

Hip Hop Classic........2005-09-02

I HOPE you have this sh*t already. If not, buy it now.

Average customer rating:

Universal Souljaz
Prophets of Da City
Manufacturer: Nation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000086FD
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Tracks:

Intro
Something Going On In My Head
D Struggle Kontinues
Wild Stylz
Funkin' 4 Azania
Beatz Of Boom
Muthaland Funk
Universal Souljaz
Kultch Bandit
Bushtekniks
Slang 4 Your Ass
Tales From The Townships
Hardcore B-Boyz
DJ Explode Vs.Hit Pop
Hardrockaz
Planet Cape Town
Call Of the Drumz
Neva Again ('95 Remix)

Average customer rating:

Potential for the future
This CD is worth 6 Stars
Chilling
What a debut should be
Great CD

World Premier
Unknown Prophets
Manufacturer: Unknown Prophets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Road Less Traveled
The W.E.T. EP
Overcast
Peace Amongst the MaDness
Shadows On The Sun

ASIN: B0000T2FJU
Release Date: 2000-09-01

Tracks:

A Lil' Q&A
Ready
World Premier
The Wrong Route (feat. DJ Abilities)
Without My Existence (feat. Brother Ali)
The Robbery
This One
Take it There (feat. DJ Willie Lose)
Human
With Who?
Be About It
It's the Way (feat. Try-D)
4 the Kidz
Us (feat. Gamble and DJ Willie Lose)
The Weekend
Almost There
Never (feat. Slug)

Customer Reviews:

Potential for the future.......2005-04-26

I saw these guys perform at the Dinkytowner in Minneapolis. They put on a very entertaining show. And like most independent acts I see live, I bought the album. Needless to say, I was very impressed. The lyrical content brought forth by Mad Son and Big Jess are definitely on the forefront. Their flows are pretty easy to follow, but aren't dampened in spirit. The lyrics are often times thought provoking, and comfortable in presentation. These guys don't sound angry or preachy, but instead convey positivity.

Although I like Mad Son's flows, Big Jess is the better of the two. He has more mic presence and a more unique voice, making his rhymes standout a bit more. I like the production; but it left me wanting more. I am a big fan of symphony, piano and orchestra in my hip-hop music, but more often than not, the sample gets repeated throughout the song. This is the case with other MCs, such as Immortal Technique. Most of his music contains minimal string arrangements a lot like this album. But Immortal Technique makes up for it with a very dominate mic presence. Unknown Prophets do it pretty well; but not many can hold a candle to Immortal Technique when it comes to raw, hardcore talent on the mic. Nevertheless, the beats on this album are entertaining and unique among many underground hip-hoppers.

The collaborative efforts don't shine as much as you would think. Slug probably has the best drop on "Never," the last cut on the album. Brother Ali, one of my favorites, doesn't get a very good part at all on "Without My Existence," just the chorus, it's a cool song though. DJ Abilities helps out the production a bit on "The Wrong Route," making it a standout track. Another one of my pick would be "Take it There". Overall, the album is solid from start to finish, although I like the second half a bit more.

These guys seem to be a very ambitious pair in the underground rap circuit. With a little help on the production and engineering end of things, these guys would be capable of so much more. This is just the first of a string of great albums from the Unknown Prophets.

This CD is worth 6 Stars.......2004-05-03

Yo if you dont have this CD then your NUTS. It's impossible to find people that DONT like this cd. I mean non rap fans can even appreciate this for its positivity and melody. They use a good variety fo instruments for their beats, and it results in a masterpiece. If you want to hear a couple songs before you buy the cd, definetly check out songs 8 Take it There and 17 Never feat. Slug. These two songs stand out and are possibly the best two songs I have heard in a long time.

Chilling.......2004-03-18

A Great LP from this Minneapolis group, they're rhymes are so good and they're flow is off the scale. The topics they spit about are personal yet almost educational in the way they say them. I have only heard a few of they're songs (Human, Never Feat. Slug, 4 The Kids and The Wrong Route) AS Roscoe P has said already 4 The Kidz and never are songs that stand out, but Human is a chillingly good song about faith worship and sin. All round top class hip hop, a must buy!

What a debut should be.......2004-02-19

This is the debut for the Unknown Prophets. And it strongly competes with the other Minneapolis based Hip Hop groups like Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Eyedea and Abilities, and Oddjobs. I would have to say that out of all of the formentioned groups World Premier is the best debut album. The thing that you first notice about the UP's that sets them apart is thire rhyme topics. Their songs are positive and constructive yet still true quality Hip Hop. Track #4 The Wrong Route is a perfect example. It basically talks about two kids who made the wrong choices in there life and everything ends up falling apart. "he went from ripped jeans to mad cream, traded all his nightmares for the pleasent dreams". Track #13 4 The Kids talks about how we need to be wise about how we act and influence children. Then theres the last song on the CD Track #17 Never ft. Slug. The song talks about how the Up's might never make it big but its ok because they are doing something they love and they are giving it there all; and you can really feel it. Nothing on this CD sounds contrived or fake. This is what sets them apart from any other group I have ever heard. Be aware, their style is not similar to Atmosphere or Brother Ali so if you are expecting that you might be dissapointed. If you can approach this CD knowing that then you will love it.

Great CD.......2003-11-14

I got this CD from a friend in Minn. and it is superb underground hip-hop almost all of the tracks are great. These guys are a lot like slug a.k.a. atmosphere and they even have a song on this cd with him. GREAT cd. would recomend for anyone who somewhat likes underground Hip-Hop.

Prophets, Seers & Sages the Angels of the Ages

Average customer rating:

Picnic in another world
Imagine "Salamanda Palaganda" as a glam #1 in 1972...

Prophets, Seers & Sages the Angels of the Ages
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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My People Were Fair...
Unicorn
A Beard of Stars
T. Rex
Electric Warrior

ASIN: B0002LU96W
Release Date: 2004-10-25

Tracks:

Deboraarobed
Stacey Grove
Wind Quartets
Consuela
Trelawney Lawn
Aznageel the Mage
Friends
Salamanda Palaganda
Our Wonderful Brownskin Man
O Harley (The Saltimbaques)
Eastern Spell
Travelling Tragition
Juniper Suction
Scenes of Dynasty

Album Description

Pre-glam rock era T. Rex (then Tyrannosaurus Rex) re-issue of the fully titled 'Prophets, Seers & Sages - The Angels of the Ages'. Considered a cornerstone of the 60s British Underground along with The Soft Machine, Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, Cream, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, this remastered, expanded edition includes original artwork, lyrics, sleevenotes by Marc Bolan biographer Mark Paytress, rare photographs by Peter Sanders, and 14 bonus stereo recordings and outtakes. First pressings come with a slipcase. Universal. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

Picnic in another world.......2006-11-29

If proof were needed that the times were less corporate and centralised in the sixties than now, one need only note that this second album by the not obviously commercial duo Tyrannosaurus Rex was released a mere three months after their snappily titled debut, My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brow. That totals 26 songs, plus a couple of stray singles, plucked from Marc Bolan's school notebook, all appearing in 1968, with plenty more lyrics saved for future use.

Unsurprisingly, it sold less well than the first to an audience anyway only recently weaned from singles onto albums, but remained a firm favourite over the years, and has been re-issued on CD several times since its first digital release in 1985, surely exceeding the expectations of its makers.

Their first single, Debora, had not appeared on My People Were Fair, which had followed it, as that was the practice of the time, but having been a surprise hit and still fresh in people's minds, was included in a completely newly recorded version which loops in on itself one minute and forty seconds through and plays out backwards through the second half, hence its new palindromic title, Deboraarobed.

One Inch Rock, the follow up single and a slightly bigger hit, was also not included on the new album (though was re-recorded in an electric version for the album T Rex), but has been added here as a bonus track in mono (it can be found in stereo on Essential Collection) along with an alternative, slower stereo version.

To Bolan's multi-tracked vocals, whistling and acoustic guitars have been added Steve Peregrine Took's complementary harmony vocals and percussion on a variety of exotic instruments including talking drums, chinese gong, kazoo and pixiephone, while the strong sense of melody, however strange-seeming at first listen it may seem, remains as memorable and haunting as on the first, and together with the extraordinary lyrics, seem to inhabit a world other than our own, but which would be eminently suitable for an extended picnic. The exclusive use of real instruments, most if not all unamplified, gives the album a timelessness which serves it well on reissue.

Whereas the first album was reissued containing both mono and stereo mixes, the careful engineering of the stereo mix of the album by Malcolm Toft, and the production of Tony Visconti, has made that unnecessary for this release. This has allowed room instead for 14 bonus tracks. Most of these are alternative takes of songs from the album, although there is one song which was dropped, Nickelodeon (Take 1)(mono).

The take numbers are given for the bonus tracks, but not for those of the final masters, so Conesuala (Take 9), for example, could be earlier or later than the released version. Most of the alternative takes are stereo but Salamanda Palaganda, Our Wonderful Brownskin Man, Eastern Spell, The Travelling Tragition and Juniper Suction are mono. Whether these are demos recorded in a mono studio or simply not mixed for stereo is not explained.

This album and My People Were Fair form very much of a pair, with recording for this album commencing even before the first had been released. Tyrannosaurus Rex's sound was to develop over two more albums before transmuting into T Rex, but this was the bedrock from which they sprang, and has material to match anything they subsequently did.

Imagine "Salamanda Palaganda" as a glam #1 in 1972..........2005-03-12

...which actually isn't so hard, when you realize that most of the songs on this album, the sophomore effort by Tyrannosaurus Rex, have strong enough melodies and clever enough guitar hooks
to have been hits if given the proper "commercial" trappings. Actually, the group's May 1968 debut single "Debora" *did* climb to #6 on the UK charts in the wake of T.Rextasy in 1972; it is reprised here in an arguably superior version, being reversed to sound backwards in its second half. Thus "Prophets, Seers And Sages" sets itself up nicely as an album of very eccentric psychedelic folk which turned many listeners off at the time and still does now--however, those that are pulled in by the album's
flowing strengths will find that there is nothing quite like it (outside of the next album, "Unicorn", perhaps).

Although described by Paytress in the liner notes to this deluxe remaster as a "mod dressed in hippie clothing", Bolan certainly
could've fooled Ginsberg and Leary; even the presence given off by him on the album's bizarre cover photo seems otherwordly, although it is merely a picture of the duo in a garden (this photogenic quality would be exploited later for worldwide fame and fortune--compare the eerily similar expressions on his face here and on "The Slider"). Leaving the drug-taking to brilliant sidekick Steve Took, Bolan's lyrical edge is firmly grounded in
a mixture of medieval/Tolkein imagery and dadaist absurdity, although without the lyric sheet in front of one (thankfully reprinted in the liners), not a word is understandable. No matter; acoustic guitars strum effortlessly hummable tunes against a background of bongos in overdrive, embellished here and there by cooling chimes, a thoughtful pixiephone or brisk handclaps. The sound is very English, and while very much in the spirit of its time, is so unique (especially vocally) that it certainly stands outside the decade as well.

The faster tracks, like "Debora", "Salamanda Palaganda", "Aznageel The Mage", "Juniper Suction" and "Conesuela" all sound vaguely oriental and are played at a frenetic pace, giving them an urgent quality; the odd voices swim around each other to unveil another pandora's box opened ("Juniper Suction" is a particularly fine cut that actually feels like one is being sucked into the song, but ends almost before it begins!). By contrast, the pastoral cuts for which this album and "Unicorn" are known couldn't get more mysterious or lovely; "Wind Quartets", "Travelling Tragition" and "Oh Harley" are the best on the album, as they instantly conjure a form of meditative magic that lingers long after the disc has stopped playing (the use of exotic percussion heightens this effect). The aura of sex which so permeated the "Electric Warrior"/"Slider" period is not as obviously stated, but is
a subtle underground embellishment here that one should watch out
for, especially during a song like "Juniper Suction".

The closing "Scenescof Dynasty" is an epic spoken poem set to handclaps that is of interest, although in this remaster we get to hear for the first time an alternate, much more powerful version with added percussion effects. And this is where the delight of this reissue comes through: not only does the album sound better than it ever has, the added outtakes are almost all previously unreleased, and while some stick close to the final
versions, others like "Scenescof Dynasty" show the Tyrannosaurus Rex sound in development in the studio. An unreleased track, the instantly catchy "Nickelodeon", is very much in the style of the album and would have made a great cut. In all, "Prophets, Seers And Sages" is perhaps Bolan's most intimate album: with just an acoustic guitar and some of Took's charming percussion and backing vocals, an entire universe of potential elfin pop
hits is uncovered. That universe would open gloriously wider with the larger pallette used for the Spector-ish production on "Unicorn" and then of course the addition of electricity on everything afterwards, but that's for the other remasters in the series.

Kurt Weill: Eternal Road (Highlights) [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music]

Average customer rating:

Not identifiable as Weill
The Eternal Road -at last!
A Historical Work That Will Appeal To Many

Kurt Weill: Eternal Road (Highlights) [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music]

Manufacturer: Milken Archive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Darius Milhaud: Service Sacre [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music]
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Thomas Beveridge: Yizkor Requiem
Brubeck - The Gates of Justice (Milken Archive American Jewish Music)

ASIN: B0000C508I
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Abraham And Isaac
Jacob And The Angel
Jacob And Rachel
The Death Of Jacob
In Egypt/Miriam And Moses
Moses Receives The Commandments/Dance Around The Golden Calf
The Beam, Moses
Moses Addresses The People
Moses Gives The Commandments/The Death Of Moses
Naomi And Ruth
Ruth And Boaz
Isaiah And Jeremiah
The Streets Of Jerusalem
Jeremiah
Chananiah The False Prophet/The Mob Attacks Jeremiah
Transformation/Finale

Amazon.com

This is an extraordinary, unique work: part opera, part oratorio, part Broadway musical, part pageant. The German libretto by Franz Werfel (the original title actually means "The Road of Promise") was translated by Ludwig Lewisohn; the story combines Biblical and modern Jewish history, messianic faith, and national politics. Set in a contemporary synagogue where the Jews are hiding from a pogrom, its four acts are centered on specific Biblical themes, which the group discusses and re-enacts throughout the night; at the end, the destruction of the ancient Temple and the group's present-day deportation melt together, as a messianic voice promises deliverance in Zion. Conceived by the promoter and Zionist activist Meyer Weisgal to awaken the world to Hitler's persecution of the Jews by juxtaposing their historical and present travails, it was premiered in New York in 1937 to critical acclaim. But it closed after 153 performances, never to be revived. No wonder: described as "the most formidable project" ever undertaken by any "undaunted group" of Jewish artists, it required an unprecedented expenditure of personnel and material and, though heavily cut even before the premiere, ran for some six hours.

Weill's music is fascinating. Alternating between cantorial liturgy, classical fugues and showtunes, it displays every aspect of his background and multi-faceted style. Son of a German cantor, his earliest works, written at age 12 and 13, were setting of Hebrew texts, but later in life, his Jewish consciousness seems to have been political rather than religious. Of all the European emigrée-composers, he was perhaps the most successful: master of operatic as well as cabaret-style, the Broadway musical became his natural habitat.

This recording offers a selection of scenes featuring recitatives, arias, ensembles and choruses. The music ranges from simple to sophisticated, from mournful, cantorial lamentations to affecting love duets, hymns, marches with trumpets and drums, dances, celestial choruses, and genuine, lovely cabaret songs. The most substantial and moving excerpt is the Death of Moses, preceded by his presentation of the Commandments. The singing is never less than good, frequently excellent. The record makes one long to hear the music in its entirety. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

This world-premiere recording of scenes from Kurt Weill's rediscovered masterpiece The Eternal Road brings to life a major 20th-century work that was a sensation of the 1937 New York theatre season. Originally conceived as a biblical pageant, a profound music-drama, and a theatrical extravaganza, The Eternal Road combines the legends of timeless Jewish heroes and heroines with the all-too-familiar story of persecution in Europe. Set against a richly colored backdrop, Weill's masterful score embodies the passions and aspirations of many dramatic characters in search of their Jewish Destiny.

Customer Reviews:

Not identifiable as Weill.......2005-11-22

An interesting "unknown" piece, but the dissonance expected in a Weill piece (Three Penny Opera, Mahagonny) is striking by its absence. Part of the Milken Archive of music by American Jewish composers, the recording is well-performed, featuring highlights of the opera, under direction of Gerard Schwarz and soloists mostly not familiar to this listener.

The Eternal Road -at last!.......2004-11-18

Weill's The Eternal Road has basically languished for more than half a century. Several years ago a production was mounted by the Chemitz Opera in the original German, which played in Chemnitz, Brooklyn and Tel Aviv. Now excerpts from the work in its English form are finally available.
The Chemitz production clearly showed both the fascination that the work has and its extensive problems. Set in a synagogue during a Nazi program, the characters are identified by types (alienated Jew, Rabbi, Christian married to a Jew, etc.) and have no real personality. They are the raison d'etre for a telling of the biblical narrative. The rabbi acts as a the reader in the fashion of the Bach St. Matthew Passion. As the story unfolfs the characters act out the story on an upper stage. In general the work is episodic with little development. In this it is really a pagent not an opera or even an oratorio. The biggest difficulty is that the work in its present form is way to long. The music slides from one style to another and by the end of a performance the audience is generally numbed into submission. In short it doesn't work on stage.
Now with a highlight recording one can savour some of the best portions of this very uneven work. Repeated hearing may increase ones desire to hear the whole work, but clearly the best of it is here and is very moving and enjoyable. If you are looking for Three Penny Opera or Mahagony you will be be let down, but heard on its own it is quite remarkable.

A Historical Work That Will Appeal To Many.......2004-01-08

This is a recording that will probably be of interest to a varied audience. Opera lovers who appreciate Kurt Weill's music will probably enjoy the recording most. Opera lovers who collect recordings love the familiar, but always relish the less familiar music that is released from time to time. THE ETERNAL ROAD will certainly be a rare treat in any opera lover's collection, that when listened to from time to time, is certain to bring enjoyment. The excerpts included in this recording are powerful and represent a side of Weill that is not as familiar as many of his other stage works. While it was conceived as a stage work, the recording sounds more like a modern day oratorio, but listeners can easily see how the musical pieces could be staged. Since the music is somewhat large and spectacular, and much of Weill's music found as home on the Broadway stage, people who enjoy theatrical music will also appreciate the recording. The piece is important historically not only because it presents a less familiar side of Weill, but also its historical context. Weill began work in 1933 which coincided with the beginnings of Nazi persecution. It was an affirmation of faith in the midst of the Holocaust.

The work is composed of the stories of many of the great Biblical heroes and heroines of the Jewish faith. Included in this recording are scenes telling the story of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and the Angel, Jacob and Rachel, the death of Jacob (a very moving musical scene), Moses receiving the Ten Commandments (I believe to be one of the best scenes of the recording), Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. The work ends with a very hopeful finale, but the ending is a bit closer to a Broadway musical's finale which does not fit the majesty of the other excerpts, but is an enjoyable musical moment none-the-less.

The recording was supported in part by the Milken Archive, an organization dedicated to presenting and preserving Jewish sacred and secular music. It has been released by the budget label Naxos, but the work is worth more than its modest price.

Shadow Prophets
Average customer rating:

Great Acoustic Smooth Jazz Album

Shadow Prophets
Kevin Eubanks
Manufacturer: Grp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Searcher

Face to Face

Promise of Tomorrow

The Heat of Heat

Sundance

ASIN: B000008AUZ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Songhouse
Village Dance
Twilight Tears
G-Town Hang
He Smiled the Sea
Mice Mobsters
Shadow Prophets
Jenna's Dream
Eye Spy

Customer Reviews:

Great Acoustic Smooth Jazz Album.......2005-09-21

I am always cautious to use the description smooth jazz because not everybody associates the term in a positive sense. This album is smooth, but not corny. I believe it came out in the mid to late '80's when smooth jazz was just starting to get radio play. Kevin Eubanks plays strictly acoustic guitar on this album and his chops are SMOKING! However, his playing never takes over the song. This is a true "mood" album. I play this cd when I'm interested in chilling and hearing an acoustic combo of r&b, funky, smooth instrumental music. Great album!

Things Gonna Get Greater: The Watts Prophets 1969-1971

Average customer rating:

The Originals...

Things Gonna Get Greater: The Watts Prophets 1969-1971
Watts Prophets
Manufacturer: Water
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Black Power: Music Of A Revolution
When the 90's Came
When the Revolution Comes
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The Very Best of the Last Poets

ASIN: B000AA4KAG
Release Date: 2005-08-29

Tracks:

Sell Your Soul
Take It
Instruction
Amerikka
Dem Niggers Ain't Playing
Pain
What Is A Man
A Pimp
Tenements
The Master
Hello Niggers
There's A Difference Between A Black Man and A Nigger
What It Is, Sisters
Everybody Watches
Watch Out Black Folds
The Prostitute
Fucked
Celebration
What Color Is Black
Black In A White World
Listen
Part-E, S
Black Pussy
Kill
They Shot Him
Falstaff
Pimping, Leaning, and Feaning
Keeping You Doing Things
The Meek Ain't Gonna
The Days, The Hours
Taste
We Must Love Black People
I'll Stop Calling You Niggers
Saint America
Nearer My God To Thee
Clowns All Around
Response To A Bourgeois Nigger
Things Gonna Get Greater Later
Trees And Del Prodo's
Pledge Of Allegiance?

Album Description

The West Coast's answer to The Last Poets, The Watts Prophets played an integral part in the raising of black consciousness and laying the foundations for rap. Formed at the Watts Writer's Workshop, Anthony "Amde" Hamilton, Otis O'Solomon, and Richard Dedeaux began performing together as Watts Prophets, setting their socially and politically conscious poetry to spare, often jazzy musical backing. They made high-profile guest appearances on Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key of Life and Quincy Jones' Mellow Madness. And were later the subject of an Emmy-nominated documentary, Victory Will Be My Moan. In 1969, the group debuted with The Black Voices: On the Streets in Watts and, two years later, followed with Rappin' Black in a White World, which featured accompaniment by ex-Motown songwriter/pianist DeeDee McNeil. The radical, incendiary tone of their work fit right in with the emerging black power movement and attracted unfavorable notice from the government, with the home of the Watts Writers Project being destroyed by fire in 1975 after having been infiltrated by an FBI informant. Throughout the years, they've remained sporadically active as performers, and were rediscovered by the hip-hop generation as their records were sampled frequently by many hip-hop artists including Ice Cube, Digable Planets, and Coolio. The Watts Prophets remain dedicated community activists today, promoting creative self-expression and the arts to young people around Southern California and beyond. Two bonus tracks. Deluxe Arigato Pak! Water Records. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

The Originals..........2005-12-06

The Watts Prophets were revolutionary. This CD consists of their first two albums "The Black Voices: On The Street In Watts", and the classic "Rappin' Black In a White World". Its great having both these releases on one disc since neither one is currently in print. For those that don't want to pay ridiculous prices for used copies this is a more than worthwhile purchase. The package itself is well done too: the booklet is glossy and contains many photos as well as informative liner notes on the history of the group. The raps here are definitely not for the faint of heart: the Prophets don't pull any punches in describing the state of black America in the late 60's and early 70's. It is this intensity that makes their poems so potent whether you are reading them or listening to the group. The Prophets dealt in truth and didn't gloss anything over, and while the directness of their raps may unsettle some, sometimes the truth hurts. Their message on both albums is made that much more direct by the minimal accompaniment and percussion, the majority of the raps are spoken word. Songs like the "What Is A Man" suite on which Dee Dee McNeil sings and plays piano are very powerful and stand out due to the instrumental accompaniment. For those interested in their work, check out their most recent work "When The 90's Came", which contains an updated version of the rap "Everybody Watches" from the "Rappin' Black" album. The Watts Prophets laid the groundwork for all the rappers that came after them, and if you are interested in the roots of today's hip hop this should be an essential purchase.

Average customer rating:

Awesome Hardcore back to the "contents..." days!
A return to the old Pro-Pain!
Real hardcore
PRO-PAIN are PISSED
Pro-Pain Delivers Again

Prophets of Doom
Pro-Pain
Manufacturer: Candlelight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fistful of Hate
Shreds of Dignity
Run for Cover
Act of God
Round Six

ASIN: B0009IW8T4
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

Neocon
Un-American
Hate Marches On
One World Ain't Enough
Getting Over
Operation Blood for Oil
Torn
Death Toll Rises
Prisoner
Days of Shame

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Hardcore back to the "contents..." days! .......2005-11-27

This cd is bad Azz! It reminds me of "THE TRUTH HURTS" OR "CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE". They have fine tuned their sound and really put time into this record and it shows. Every song on here will piss your neighbors off at loud levels. Buy this...you wont be sorry!!!

A return to the old Pro-Pain!.......2005-08-02

This is a much better album than their last couple efforts. The muddled, sloppy thrash sound is gone, replaced by their familiar (and much better) grind-core style. Check out track four for some classic, ruthless, old-school Pro-Pain!

Real hardcore.......2005-07-12

Much like hardcore legends Agnostic Front, Pro-Pain hasn't gotten any softer with age. "Prophets of Doom" finds the hardcore outfit as ticked off as one would expect, and the album is all the better for it. "Unamerican" and "Hate Marches On" are anthemic hardcore dirges that find the band at their best, along with some of the best lead guitar work you'll ever hear from Pro-Pain. Other standout tracks, including "One World Ain't Enough", "Operation Oil for Blood" (gee, I wonder who that song is a slap in the face to...), "Death Toll Rises", and "Prisoner" are some of the best material to come from the hardcore legends, and while it's a bit short in length, "Prophets of Doom" is still quite possibly the best hardcore release of the year. It's not for everybody, but for true fans of hardcore and Pro-Pain, this will make you stand up and cheer before you bang your head.

PRO-PAIN are PISSED.......2005-06-22

PRO-PAIN are one of the best hard core metal bands that this country (USA) just seems to ignore. This time they are making it really hard to ignore as they are politically pissed on PROPHETS OF DOOM. Even with their disgust of the USA politics, they have musically crafted an excellent CD. As much as I dislike the Bush family, they sure inspire bands to put out some of their best material. In short, if you have even once nodded your head to a PRO-PAIN song, this album will be money well spent.

Pro-Pain Delivers Again.......2005-06-15

Another stellar release from the hardcore-metal gods Pro-Pain. I am not going to go into any great detail with this review. You either know of and like Pro-Pain or you don't. Prophets of Doom is a typical Pro-Pain releaese, although I do hear some interesting twists (to my ear at least) from time to time throughout this CD. The production is good, the songs are solid and full of hooks, the music is aggressive and I really enjoyed the lead guitar work of T. Klimchuck on this release. His leads aren't extravagent or mind-boggling but they are tasteful and well placed.

I really feel like these guys are getting better and stronger as they age. This is a very solid release and you won't be dissappointed.

Ultraprophets of Thee Psykick Revolution

Average customer rating:

Ultraprophets of Thee Psykick Revolution
Christmas
Manufacturer: I.R.S. Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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