Mecca

Mecca

Track Listings

1. Velocitized

2. Without You

3. Cant Stop Love

4. Silence Of The Heart

5. You Still Shock Me

6. Mecca

7. Wishing Well

8. Close That Gap

9. Blinded By Emotion

10. Falling Down

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
2002 debut album for melodic rock act inspired by Toto, Survivor & Foreigner. Ten tracks written by the band & Survivor singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist Jim Peterik who also produced.

Tracks:

Return Of The Mecca
For Pete's Sake
Ghettos Of The Mind
Lots Of Lovin
Act Like You Know
Straighten It Out
Soul Brother #1
Wig Out
Anger In The Nation
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
On And On
It's Like That
Can't Front On Me
The Basement
If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right
Skinz

Amazon.com

Pete Rock loves horns the way other DJs and producers love drums. It's this obsession with funky horn breaks that sets Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth apart from regular hip-hop bassheads. With its crucial James Brown breaks layered between trumpet and sax loops, coupled with the laid-back vocals of Smooth and Rock, Mecca and the Soul Brother--their first full-length--struts back and forth on that line between rap and soul. Rock's production style is peerless, funky on "If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right" and sexy on "Lots of Lovin'." Smooth's liquid freestyle delivery (notably on "Straighten It Out" and "They Reminisce Over You") has been echoed in other skilled MCs (see Common's work). And with their combined skills, Mecca stands up without ever really dating itself. --Todd Levin

Customer Reviews:

Die Hard Fan.......2007-07-05

Put simply, They are the reason I like hip-hop." They were ahead of their time. What a shame!" I wish they would make up and be friends again. They had 2 mind blowing complete albums. Most underrated duo. Sad day for society when they split. Hip and cool, yet socially and politically conscious. If your reading this, you guys are sorely missed! The game has never recovered! Amazing music where we don't have to kill each other in every other line. You guys were of a 'different cloth.

-It would be a dream come true for "Return of 'Mecca and the Soul Brother." 5+ stars.

Peace True Hip Hop Fans

mecca is a state of mind.......2007-05-23

Follow up to the initial release all souled out EP. Mecca and the soul brother is the full length release that displayed the amazing dj skills of the legendary pete rock and the fantastic lyrics of CL smooth. Rhymes, beats , and life are the main themes that make this a dope album from now until eternity. I wish these brothers could get along so they can make a current release that is just as dope as this one.

Deserving of the Praise! 4.5 Stars.......2007-04-08

This is Rap, Rap before the suits decided rap was something they could turn bad, and sell like crack.

Fun, uplifting music, an album you can enjoy from beginning to end. Strongly Recommended!

Ridiculous.......2007-04-06

It's kind of ridiculous how incredible this album is and how it's gotten very little play and hype compared to D4L or Mistah Fab. They made no chart-topping hits, but I guarantee every song is good.

like it's even a question.......2007-02-26

If you're a hip hop fan and you don't have this, don't tell anyone.

Average customer rating:

Plesant surprise
Proof most good music is outside the mainstream
Takin it to the next
She's Back On Time/Broadcast Where We See/Run & Tell A Friend
nickle slick rebirth...

Trip the Light Fantastic
Ladybug Mecca
Manufacturer: Nu Paradigm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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Some Kinda...

ASIN: B0009IRKZG
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

Dark Matter
Don't Disturb the Peace
Children Say
Ladybug Come Outside
Show the World
Mr. Mayor
Dogg Starr
Leaving It All Behind
Sexual Alchemy
Centre of Nowhere
Please Don't
Last Train (featuring Martin Luther)
Sweet & Polite
Suicidethol
You Never Get Over It
Remember When?
Oh Poor You
Step Up Wise

Album Description

Ladybug Mecca returns with a body of work that she considers a combination of her life experiences. She is back and stronger than ever with her highly anticipated solo release "Trip the Light Fantastic".

Customer Reviews:

Plesant surprise.......2007-07-02

I've always been a fan of Digable Planets, mainly because of the funky vibe from Ladybug, so I figured that her solo album would be everything I liked about DP, just lacking Doodlebug and Butterfly.

I was kinda right.

It was all that and more. I remember Ladybuy describing her album as "music", rather than tying it down to a single genre, and the album is evidence to its truth. From her classic hiphop/spoken word vibe from DP, to her ventures into alt-rock vibes, pop-ish sounds, jazzy and new-age sounds, the album's all over the place, yet they all share a similar ambiance that Ladybug's vocals create.

No other featured vocalists (aside from the skits), but it's nothing to trip about, ladybug keeps it poppin. Def recommend.

Proof most good music is outside the mainstream.......2006-07-05

This is a great album! If I had to compare her to someone, I'd say Mystic, but their flows are very different. What they do have in common is an effortless shift from rapping to singing and a refreshingly fresh sound. And unlike many "solo" efforts by female rappers, the album is not dominated by featured vocalists; she actually performs almost all of the vocals on the album.
The solo debut of the female Digable Planets member is very eclectic. It goes from Hip Hop to R&B to Pop to Rock to... some stuff I'd hesitate to categorize. This may explain the lack of radio play, but that usually means an artist's music is not trite or cliché.
The 18 tracks consist of an intro (track 1), a skit (track 14), and 16 songs. Lyrics are not included in the booklet. The CD is not in a jewel case - it is in a two-panel unlatched flip-open cardboard jacket with a plastic CD holder.

Takin it to the next.......2006-02-26

I've followed Dig Ps since back in the day and have never stopped listening to their UNBEATABLE beats, rhymes and lyrical content. Sometimes the whole is greater than the parts (ie, Tribe Called Quest). Well apparently this part is as great as the whole. Ladybug lays down some crazy phat tracks in a great mix of genres. If you want pure hip hop you'll only get a few tracks of that here, but if you have an open mind or at least enjoy music from various genres then you will LOVE this cd. As original as you can get without loosing your audience, as accessible as the latest radio pop and with lyrical content to keep the philosopher and the thug happy.

She's Back On Time/Broadcast Where We See/Run & Tell A Friend.......2006-02-10

Our Sista of Conciousness Ladybug Mecca has been through a lot since the days of Blowout Comb, and now reappears with an evolved and deeply thoughtful pastiche of new gems. Many of the tracks have a real airiness about them, though we do hear the more familiar Ladybug/Mecca of yesteryear on at least a couple of tracks. Musical arrangements: impeccable. Creativity: way outside the box. Singing: ethereal. This album is a steal at fourteen bucks for 18 great tracks.

I wrote this review while listening to the album beginning to end. Lyrics in parentheses are ones I guessed at. Though not an easy task, I would rank the tracks in order from most superb to least superb but still good as follows: 15, 4, 9, 13, 12, 5, 11, 14, 18, 16, 3, 17, 8, 7, 2, 1, 10, 6

1. Dark Matter. A very nice instrumental intro. Wind chimes. Makes you think because of the title. If you listen with headphones, you can hear some conversation in the background. Not sure what it's about.

2. Don't Disturb the Peace. This one's an alt-rock style track. Very short and to the point. "...she didn't know the consequence of being an unconditional punching bag breathing"... "Oh, what a mental game--so irrational--Have you ever had a conversation with a head case?" This was the first song that caught my attention, not only because it's the first song on the album, but because of that hook. I think this is going to turn out to be a very revealing album. "What is up with you when you just talk that shi+ and don't live up to that? Sucka-free, now sucka, get back." Damn those abusive relationships.

3. Children Say. "I used to hang out in my room, just sit around watching TV. I'd watch the stories on the news. I'd swear it all was deceiving `mysterious weather patterns sweep the nation'... I close my eyes, a child... *dag, am I going to live to see my 15th birthday???* I ask my mommy why... the situation has come as far to this." Interesting trip back in time. Children know when things ain't right. Young Ladybug was no exception.

4. Ladybug Come Outside. A funky, bouncy track that re-introduces the hip hop Ladybug to those who have been waiting for so long. I love it! "Raise your right fist, in Goddess we trust. Mama Earth where we dwell (is adverse to us).....[She's flows on this one] It's the beginning of the end, the beginning of the end, of the paradigm shift, so...run `n' tell a friend. " "Walk the walk with those like-minded. Talk the talk... to the ones that are blinded." "Ladybug, Ladybug, spit one rhyme. Miss Ladybug Mecca, do you still have time?" "Ladybug, Ladybug, my oh my, I'm glad you left the game, `cause you back on time."

5. Show the World. Another airy, mellow track with a Latin feel that showcases the beauty of Ladybug's singing voice. "You're 9-to-5'ing, your bills are piling, but there's no dollar still"... "The streets is violent, your daughter's wyling, you've done all you can do"... "Smile with your eyes...speak with your heart...and show the world some soul...show the world...it ain't easy...show the world...this is you." "A bad decision...the wrong religion...we all are on our path..." "Sometimes we may fall, it's all good, we will make it ..." "Smile with your eyes..."

6. Mr. Mayor. A rock'n'rollish track that hasn't quite grown on me yet, but has a lot of interesting experimentation, including a little scratching here and there and some guitar riffs. "Parade around like you've got something to do; if you're livin' for the people, why do I see right through?" "You are (a fraud), you are (not large), you are (not in charge)." I hope I got those lyrics right-kind of difficult to decipher.

7. Dogg Starr. Wow. A track called Sirius B/Dog Star. She's rapping on this track and "All the way live, everyday life, live from Earth-yo, I hit you from the Dog Star... broadcast where we see-Sirius B." "Now you see the complexity it takes to compete--simple minds and simple rhymes play the back seat. Regu-lar shi+ lo-ses, don't get abused, kid." A lot of interesting sound/music effects going on here as well.

8. Leaving It All Behind. A little vignette of a conversation/debate between Mecca and a homegirl during which Mecca floats away into dreams of leaving the projects for the beach. Segues into another very light, airy, flute-enhanced, Latin-flavoured ditty that, to my mind, recalls 1970's feel-good songs that became TV show soundtracks. "Sheeeeeee walks alone, but she says she'll never cry... Sheeeeeeee says that the game's an illusion, living in twisted confusion.....and she's leaving them all behiiiiind." "Sheeeeee loves to play with ladybugs in trees...sheeeeeees gone bon voyage on a journey, giving into all the yearning, and relieving her slave-made mind..." Ends with her heading off to catch her bus and bidding farewell to her homegirl.

9. Sexual Alchemy. Keep up with the pace, now. Do I hear a Fela Kuti horns intro??? Oh my GOSH, this is TOO funky!!! Oh, this is off the hook. "To the break of May, or to Auset, catch me in a fre-quen-cy--unh. In your wildest dreams, ever knew this thing? Sexual Al-che-my--unh." "Let us come two-gether like mag-netic. Imagine there's no pain, `magine there's no shame, no longer each other to blame. Dabble in a little bit... if you don't like it, split." Now see, this here is artistry. What a complete and total reinvention of the squeaky, rusty wheel. There's much more, but you've gotta buy the cow to get the milk, darlings.

10. Centre of Nowhere. There's some more Latin flavour here, and a lot of harmonizing. Another throwback to the `70s. I can tell there's some EWF influence here. More flutes. I just love it. "Living at the center of nowhere, puncturing your wings, knowing change will come." "All you've got to do is tell yourself to leave the burden behind you." Definitely sounds like Esthero on this one.

11. Please Don't. More Latin flavour! I LOVE the drum intro! Some spoken word, too 4 ya! Mellow. "So... please don't, unless you like the rejection of my tone..." "He thinks he's really that slick cat. He thinks he's intelligent, all that. [Wow, reminds me of Jill Scott!] Well, Supafly, check out the headlines. Chicks like me, we see you from miles & miles." "It's cool and all, that now you can talk that junk--got the noni, then you ran like a punk. But we know the truth though, you really in a smokeless funk--took a tad, now you think you a hunk. You're just imaginin', fathomin' havin' it like that. When you abuse your sexuality, it makes you feminine, Jack. Who wants a man like that? And that's a fact. So please keep it movin', `cause there ain't no turnin' back." H!Hwellll.

12. Last Train. Oh, a really nice jazzy one. Martin Luther: "Last train for Mary will be leaving (choo-choooo), better get your ticket. Headed for freedom, it's time to shiiiiiine." This is a fun one. I feel like doing the Lindy Hop. Listen to that piano! Ladybug: "It was 7:45 in the a.m.--I am... taking time off for Mec, and you know how... I keep it going, `cause things are what I make it, and who I am is mine for sure." Martin Luther: "You got me huffin' and puffin', I'm chuggin' like a choo-choo train (Choo! Choo!)... the state of the world might make you want to go insane... so keep on pushin' `til you reach a better day." Ladybug: "Embrace the spirits around you. Be one with the sun, devour your power." "The intentions of your soul is pure. Your mind is deeper than the ocean floor." "It's like shimmy shimmy cocoa puff, shimmy shimmy sham. I'm gonna buy myself some gold, and buy myself some land." *snapping to the melody*

13. Sweet & Polite. Oh, I like this one. "I'm always on my job, straight creepin' through the fog..." I LOVE this song! "...up top, cop it--bet. You know it's...LadyBug Mecc..... Fall-in...to my velocity, and do a couple ohms and open up to something clear." "She's so sweet and polite, petite and (on the blithe). A rebel on the outskirts, cute, clever, make it hurt. She's so sweet and polite, petite and (on the blithe). Tricky like I'm doin' dirt, cute, clever, make it hurt." Sprinkle a lil' Portuguese lingo about here and there. "Cops hide behind the gun, kid shot the same night, oh shi+, that's what's up, be prepared to head it up."

14. Suicidethol. Time for a little commercial break.

Ladybug: "Walking through the park used to be such a drag. My runny nose would always let me know that Spring was on the way. But since I've started taking Suicidathol, I have no secretions at all." Gentleman: "Suicidathol killufast tablets help control natural body fluids by drying them up permanently, over a short period of time-in most cases. It can help you feel confident that your nose won't run ever again. Common side effects include kidney failure, liver damage.......muscle pain, fast heartbeat, sore throat and urinating every two minutes." This is a hilarious parody! I've only given bits & pieces of it.

15. You Never Get Over It. My very favorite song on the whole entire album. Starts slow, then is upbeat but melancholy. "What do you think of first thing when you wake up? What do you think of when the one you love is suf-fer-ing the most? What do you do when some-one tells you they're going away for a long, long time and the echoes from the pit of your heart keeps go-ing and they don't stop, no, no, they just don't stop." "Standing on the top of the roof just look-ing up. A sprinkle of cotton and turquoise blow as re-ality stings when the (*?*) rings. What do you do when someone tells you they're going away, and you must be brave, and there's gonna be some time and a little re-action, but it's the way and it's not going to change and.." "...loneliness and visions of you got me react-in a language a girl can't even imagine... loneliness and visions of you got me re-act-in a language a girl can't articulate when it... comes to love I have for you, for you. Comes to love I have for you, for you, for you." "What good does it do when your definitions can't de-fine the emotion through your religion?" This song is incredibly deep and touching once you find out Sista Mecca lost both parents within a short time of one another following the recording of the Blowout Comb album.

16. Remember When? You guessed it. Some more Latin flava. Trance makes an appearance. Drumming, Spanish guitar, background chant-like vocalizing. "Remember when I touched your soul? I know that I was outta control. Are you Dogon? Where are you from? You're not from here. Wanna make you mine, protect you. This is divine, I respect you." Some more Portuguese crooning. Something really out of this world tends to occur whenever Spanish guitar & percussion are overlayed. Outstanding.

17. Oh Poor You. This one has a "rock" feel to it. "My life has been nothing but a blessing to date. Even through the unknown confessions of hate." "And for the so-called profit...dude, you need to stop it." "My trust lies in the Truth between the lines. And everyday's a test of the soul, I know. It took a while to sift through the weeds in the garden. Deeply rooted demons (in deceit) for my stardom. Yeah, she's back and with the synergy. Retrograde couldn't even stop my energy. Or the gravity pull a woman has on a man when the moon is full and in demand, yeah." "Oh poor you. So sad and so con-fused. You want mercy. Just thirst the attention, and you thrill in your neglection." Oops. Somebody wasn't worthy, mature or understanding enough to wear the King's crown.

18. Step Up Wise. Oh! Snap to this! Here comes the Rebirth of Slick bass groove. No mistaking this one. "No, it's no joke, no game, it's live. You want the Truth, *slick*, step up wise." "...Unh like it is, yeah, cold, green light. Queens, don't stress, don't fuss, don't fight." "Again, it's the *slick*, I kissed it and blessed it. Never have to ask, is there born another classic? Go'n switch your car, it don't matter, that's chatter. But we joke: How I zone? (Yeah... you know how it goes.)"

nickle slick rebirth..........2005-07-17

uhhh...

i caint lie... i was expeckin the rebirth of the rebirth of slick or sumphn.

i dint quite get it... instead... i got pleasantly surprised...

lilsista seriously comes thru soundin more like res or esthero than her ol' old way, and that's not a bad thang.
(unless'n you jus some ol' hard-rock/stubborn as hell and dont wanna give in to the progressiveness of an artist... that aint you is it?)

but,
i caint lie #2... ladybug remains one of our top two female hip hop artists (lauryn hill's the other) and I WAS A HOPIN AND A WISHIN for her to kick it like she useta... if she dont carry the weight, then who?

'trip the light' is more enjoyable to me than aya or m.i.a.'s cd... (my opinion)

so get this
and slip into a whole nother kinda cool...

Average customer rating:

Certified Classic
Return From Mecca, a return to "Vanglorious" - Sissie!!!!!!
This album is off the chain
lyrics and knowledge
Great Come Back

Return from Mecca
X-Clan
Manufacturer: Suburban Noize
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000IFSGEE
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

X Clan Album Intro
Aragorn
Voodoo
Hovercraft Intro
Why U Doin That?
Weapon X
Speak The Truth
Positrons
Mecca
Prisons
Atonement
Brother, Brother
Funky 4 U
Self Destruct
Space People
Trump Card
To The East
Locomotion
Americans
3rd Eyes On Me
Culture United
Bonus Track 1

Album Description

X-Clan, one of the genre's most powerful and influencial hip-hop crews ever, have returned after nearly a decade-long hiatus. Making its debut in 1990 with the classic To The East Blackwards, X-Clan was at the forefront of hip-hop's cultural movement. With hits like "Funkin' Lesson," "Head The Word Of The Brother" and "Raise The Flag," X-Clan secured hip-hop as a vehicle to advance the science and math of upliftment, popularizing the ideas of Malcolm X, Sonny Carson, Huey Newton, and Clarence 13X, while keeping dance floors packed. Led by Brother J, the Clan's founder and original lead MC, X-Clan is ready again to move your mind, body, and spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Certified Classic.......2007-07-28

This album is incredible! I always felt like Brother J, KRS, and Rakim where ahead of their time but the times caught up with KRS and Rakim. Brother J is a time traveler because he is still on some futuristic type stuff. He doesn't sound the least bit out dated and he will crush most people out. I was blown away because eventhough he hasn't made an album in a long time he has still grown as an artist and is sharper than ever. X-Clan did an excellent job at keeping the essence of Prof. X alive and they have mastered their sound. This album is a must have. So far this is the best album I have heard in this millenium! I put Brother J in my top 3 emcees of all time list. If he had a few more albums I'm sure he could be #1.

Return From Mecca, a return to "Vanglorious" - Sissie!!!!!!.......2007-04-25

This has to be the best CD on the market today. I was actually able to listen to all of teh tracks. Jason Hunter, aka The Grand Verbalizer Funk'n Lesson Brother J, aka Brother One, aka Tehun Zju, aka the Underseer has really shown the dominance of a veralizer of a rapper. He flows so great on each cut. I have every X-Clan Album, but this one really shows the evolution of the X-Clan after a 15 year silence and the losses of Professor X (RIP) and Sugar Shaft (RIP). I can't get enough of this CD!!!

This album is off the chain.......2007-04-19

I have never heard an X-Clan record, so when a friend gave me this album, I was skeptical at first. Once I heard it, I was so impressed. This album is what hip-hop is really about. The beats are hot and the lyrics are deep. I recommend this album to anyone who wants to hear some real Hip-Hop!

lyrics and knowledge.......2007-03-23

A lyricist, dope beats and knowledge are the key elements to a dope conscious album. Funkin' lesson hits all the categories on the head with this new release from x clan. When I heard a new album was coming out after the long hiatus I questioned if brother J still had it. Well I saw x clan live when they came to chicago with public enemy. needless to say I left the concert with x clan's new cd in my hand. Not only does brother J shine on the album but he also has some nice guest appearances (Krs-One, Chali 2na, Jr. Gong Marley). It is good to hear a solid album that actually has some substance to it instead of wack material lyrics with a wack dance to accompany the weak track. This release gets two thumbs up from me.

Great Come Back.......2007-03-01

Despite their terrible loss, The Clan made a great come back with Return of the Mecca. I was a fan of the old clan and they made me proud this time. Brotha J must be looking down on them proudly.

~Meme~

Average customer rating:

one of their best
Another home run from Manhattan Transfer!
Quality vocal ensemble do sophisticated pop with jazzy feel
This album sure makes me smile again!
Not Just Jazz

Mecca for Moderns
The Manhattan Transfer
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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The Manhattan Transfer

ASIN: B000002I8F
Release Date: 1990-02-22

Tracks:

On The Boulevard
Boy From New York City
(Wanted) Dead Or Alive
Spies In The Night
Smile Again
'Until I Met You' (Corner Pocket)
(The Word Of) Confirmation
Kafka
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Customer Reviews:

one of their best.......2007-05-07

This is one of my most favorite Manhattan Transfer albums. Their harmony is amazing.

Another home run from Manhattan Transfer!.......2005-10-06

This CD is another shining example of just how good music can be! Manhattan Transfer is once again at the top of their game in terms of both performance and material. You will return to this CD again and again. These performances do not disappoint, and will move you as much as you will allow.

Quality vocal ensemble do sophisticated pop with jazzy feel.......2005-02-07

I can't help but be strongly biased in favour of this album as it was the first record album I ever owned. My parents gave me a cassette copy of this 10-track collection for Christmas 1982 - I was thirteen and didn't know anything much about popular music at the time. When your album collection consists of just the one recoed, it tends to stick in the mind, and these songs are now hard-wired into my long term memory. It's good that they're so enjoyable. I particularly like the sweet melody of A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, and the very-enjoyable, lighthearted political name-calling of Wanted Dead Or Alive. On The Boulevard is classy MOR pop, while Smile Again is a smooth, romantic ballad. The vocal style of this superior quartet is best displayed on The Word Of Confirmation, while Kafka has no lyrics, but a plethora of high-quality scat singing. Spies In The Night taps into a similar spooky paranoia to the Twilight Zone song from their previous album, complete with a gunshot finale.

I'm on Amazon to seek out and buy the CD of this, as my venerable old cassette has finally deserted me, it seems!

I think this should get a 4-star rating , but it gets an extra star from me for being my first record!!

Recommended .

This album sure makes me smile again!.......2003-12-17

This album is so touching, yet so moving! I can't say enough how I love this album so much! It shows a different side of the Manhattan Transfer. And I do like how they try to bridge the gap from not just jazz, but modern pop from the early 80s.
This album definitely stands the test of time.

Not Just Jazz.......2002-11-05

You either love the MT or you just don't understand where they're coming from-- & I guess this is clear from the ratings here. People in the second category just don't bother voting.

"Mecca for Moderns" is a showcase of their amazing breadth of style, from the popular hit "Boy From New York City", to the classic "A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square" (the sweetest a capella version imaginable). This album was probably the first in which the MT truly showed what they can do with a variety of musical styles; a significant number of its tracks was reprised in their retrospect double CD "Down In Birdland", a collection of their finest work (not just their commercially-greatest hits).

Tracks:

I'm Not Into Being The Woman You're With While You're Looking For The Woman You Want
Attraction Is Ephemeral
I'll Call You
To Avoid Pain
1922
Fallen Skier
His Own Madness
The Dark Side Of Maria
Arsenal
The Caribou & The Oil Pipeline
The Message
The Observer

Album Description

Twenty-year participants in the international music scene, electric guitar and voice duo Mecca Normal release their twelfth album. Their most passionate and nuanced to date, featuring enhanced instrumentation, beautiful vocals, and a compelling thematic link. A great, moving, smart rock album with perceptive stories and impeccable musicianship.

Customer Reviews:

one of their best........2006-12-23

This album, with a quite bizarre conceptual theme for a rock album (mostly sung descriptions internet dating), turns out to be one of their best. The songs are mostly quite catchy; the guitar playing is impeccable; and the singing as stronger than ever.

I have followed Mecca Normal since their inception. Although occasionally flawed with atonal rants, their folk-punk has always been inspirational. Most albums have been a single guitar (somewhat similar to early Billy Bragg, but with greater virtuosity, edge and attitude) and one set of female vocals - with an occasional fill of piano and additional guitars. Nevertheless, their presence is more stirring than many of the best full scale rock bands.

Arleen Augér - Gluck, Haydn, Mozart, Beethove, Schubert

Average customer rating:

Arleen Augér - Gluck, Haydn, Mozart, Beethove, Schubert
Franz Josef Haydn , Arleen Auger , Ludwig van Beethoven , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Schubert , and Erik Werba
Manufacturer: Orfeo D'or
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005BGX2
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Average customer rating:

Mecca
Like, Mantras, Man
subVERSIVE
their best album. REAL industrial music. IGNORE david m.
interesting but sorry, I can't enjoy it at all

Red Mecca
Cabaret Voltaire
Manufacturer: Mute U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Voice of America
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ASIN: B00005YWKI
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Touch of Evil
Sly Doubt
Landslide
Thousand Ways
Red Mask
Split Second Feeling
Black Mask
Spread the Virus
Touch of Evil (Reprise)

Album Description

U.S. reissue on Mute Records.

Customer Reviews:

Mecca.......2006-08-17

While it ranks high overall in what they have done, this is maybe not the place to start if you want to get in Cabaret Voltaire. It was still in their real avant-garde electronic phase and remains difficult and challenging today.

Like, Mantras, Man.......2005-02-11

I haven't tried dancing to this - - I'll leave that to bigger feet than mine - - but it pretty much beats the hot pants off most 'industrial' music even after all these years. Cabaret Voltaire were still ahead of their time at this point, prolifically releasing disturbing albums of rhythm and noise (this was their fifth in three years, and that doesn't include several EPs, singles and compilation tracks) that are as haunting today as in yesteryear. Henry Mancini's 'A Touch Of Evil' opens and closes the album with appropriately oblique audio-verite, with just enough deference to the original to render it recognizable. In between are several examples of near-melodic, atmospheric excursions into CV's iconoclastic anti-NeverNeverLand. Bongos. Violin. Guitar. Dirty, lo-fi, analogue waspish synths. Strangulated vocals, inarticulate verbiage. Primitive production. My only complaint is that 'Landslide' is too brief. It certainly isn't a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song, and with a title like that it should go on forever.

subVERSIVE.......2004-01-17

I like putting this on because it disengages me from the world and plugs me into a cold, alien place that temporarily removes me from my problems. This CD can turn something even as mundane as housecleaning into an otherworldly experience.

This is strange music to be sure, full of strange sounds, electronic manipulations and mind-numbing repetition with meandering, quasi-psychedelic guitar and synth passages. RED MECCA gives me a feeling of disconnectedness, but the group is actually quite integrated and the beat is paramount.

This album never could nor will be accepted by the mainstream and that's the point. It's anti-mainstream. CV came about during the Sex Pistols punk era in England. In true punk spirit, they set out to do their own thing and succeeded. 4 stars because, after all, it's not the greatest music in the world, either. But it's very good for what it is.

An aside: look at the cover closely for a while and you'll see faces and bodies!

their best album. REAL industrial music. IGNORE david m........2002-09-08

there is nothing wrong with the sound quality. it was recorded in 1981 using a lot of analogue equipment, so what? it still sounds like it could have been made yesterday while 90% of the so-called "industrial music" that came after sounds unbelievably dated. so what does it sound like? very dense, lots of reel to reel tape loops, processed guitar noise, smooth basslines, analogue synths, and primitive drum machines. the vocals are a sinister sort of barking (also run through a myriad of effects) which were subsequently copied by every single "industrial" band that came after them. there ARE melodies in there, if you can't hear them you need to clean your ears out! yes, the song structures are unconventional, and it isn't exactly "catchy", but THAT IS THE POINT! they were trying to create a nightmarish, hallucinogenic experience for the listener. there is nothing cheesy about this album. if you want cheesy catchy melodies and standard pop song structures go listen to tripe like velvet acid christ, vnv nation, or pretty much any ebm/electro industrial album released in the last 8 years. if you want REAL industrial music get this. also, be sure to check out their previous album "the voice of america".

interesting but sorry, I can't enjoy it at all.......2002-08-31

Sometimes happens that some work of art is important but you don't enjoy it. This happens to me with this album by Cabaret Voltaire. Everyone who likes electronic music admits that this band is one of the bands which pre-defined the concept of industrial music. Alright. But when I listen to this album I don't enjoy it at all, sorry. The concept is interesting, that blending of electronic music (dark, very dark, a sort of precursor of early Skinny Puppy material) with instruments such as bongos, etc. But once the copncept is established, the music don't get the standard.The songs are much too repetitive, the sound quality is quite poor, and the melodies are simply either inexistent or cheesy. I haven't listened to any other entire album by this band, and Red Mcca is to be blame for that. Anywy, as I always say, listen to it and judge for yourself.

Average customer rating:

in his own words

In His Own Words

Manufacturer: Mecca Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Pac's Life
Me Against the World

ASIN: B0009WPWPW

Product Description

Tracks: **Intro **People Made Me, The **Evolution Of A Thug **No Peace Treaty **Trouble Followed **What Happened **Mad Trouble **In His Own Words - (previously unreleased) **Darkness Comes To Light **My Enemies **Final Projects **Mourn You Till I Join You - (with Naughty By Nature) **The Last Days **Be The Realist - (featuring 2Pac/The Notorious B.I.G./Trapp)

Customer Reviews:

in his own words.......2005-06-26

this is the last interview of pac. its really gud, he talks about his songs - dear mama and his (at that time) new release - hit em up. He discusses his beef with biggie and how it has esclated and he talks about how he has love for all the bay areas especially tha east coast. pac talks about when he was shot and his many legal poblems and between this interview many songs are played. Including mourn u till i join u by naughty by nature - a moving tribute to 2pac. The songs selected are relevant and even feat the great biggie smalls. (on previous unrelesed songs). This cd i strongly recommend to all 2pac fans as its an essential part to ur collection and i also recommend it to people who don't know or understand who or what 2pac stood for. this interview will help explain it and to show people pac was a thug who create war with the east coast. Thsi cd illumninates the trgic early passing of this very talented brotha who was larely misunderstood. So BUY THIS!! - also check out tupac- resurrection dvd - very very good, u won't be disappointed. - to all u haters check this dvd out and maybe u will be enlightened and finally understood who and what 2pac represented... r.i.p pac and biggie - tha game aint tha same witout cha!!! - PEACE!!

The Golden Age of Singing: Vol. 3 1920-1930

Average customer rating:

Great Voices of the 1920s in Opera and Operetta.

The Golden Age of Singing: Vol. 3 1920-1930

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000058TFX
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Romeo Et Juliette: Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve (Waltz Song) - Lucrezia Bori
Andrea Chenier: Un Di, All'azzuro Spazio - Beniamino Gigli
Die Tote Stadt: Gluck, Das Mir Verblieb - Maria Jeritza
Don Giovanni: Or Sai Chi L'onore - Frida Leider
I Puritani: Son Vergin Vezzosa - Amelita Galli-Curci
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Richard Tauber
Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Martern Aller Arten - Maria Ivogun
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola (Siciliana) - Aureliano Pertile
Don Sebastiano: Deserto In Terra Solo - Alfred Piccaver
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Una Voce Poco Fa - Toti Dal Monte
Benvenuto Cellini: De L'art Splendeur Immortelle - Giuseppe De Luca
La Boheme: Mimi E Una Civetta - Antonio Cortis
Die Schone Galathea: Trinklied - Lotte Schone
Rigoletto: Pari Siamo - Carlo Galeffi
Resurrection: Dieu De Grace - Mary Garden
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete? - Elisabeth Schumann
Don Quichotte: Death Scene - Feodor Chaliapin/Olive Kline
Marina: Brindis: 'A Beber' - Miguel Fleta/Emilio Sagi-Barba
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Porgi Amor - Lotte Lehmann

Tracks:

Pagliacci: No, Pagliaccio Non Son - Giovanni Martinelli/Grace Anthony
I Vespri Siciliani: O Patria...O Tu Palermo - Ezio Pinza
Aida: Nile Scene: O Patria Mia - Elisabeth Rethberg
Der Fliegende Hollander: Wie Aus Der Ferne - Friedrich Schorr
Les Pelerins De La Mecque: C'est Un Torrent Impetuex - Lucien Fugere
Il Trovatore: Il Balen Del Suo Sorriso - Apollo Granforte/Guglielmo Masini
Der Wildschutz: Wie Freundlich Strahlt - Gerhard Husch
Prince Igor: Jaroslavana's Aria - Nina Koshetz
Norma: Meco All'altar Di Venere - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
Turandot: In Questa Reggia - EVA TURNER
Lohengrin: Einsan In Truben Tagen (Elsa's Dream) - Hina Spani
Werther: Va Laisse Couler - Ninon Vallin
Les Huguenots: Nobles Seigneurs - Sigrid Onegin
Bernice: Si Tra I Ceppi - Alexander Kipnis
Tannhauser: Inbrunst Im Herzen...Da Sah Ich Ihn - Lauritz Melchior
Otello: Ora E Per Sempre Addio - Renato Zanelli
Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu - Lawrence Tibbett

Customer Reviews:

Great Voices of the 1920s in Opera and Operetta........2001-12-30

The Nimbus method of reprocessing historical recordings is particularly kind to singers who recorded by the acoustic process, before the advent of electric recording in 1925. In this third issue of their "Golden Age of Singing" series, Nimbus Records cover the years 1920-1930. About a dozen recordings from the pre-electric era are found here, including items by Galli-Curci and de Luca who featured in the second issue in this series. Other singers featuring again in this third series include Lotte Lehmann and Giovanni Martinelli, heard here in 1927 recordings.

Whatever criteria you use to assess anthologies of great singers, you will probably be well satisfied with this splendid issue. If you collect the works of particular singers, you will find not only representative but also rare items. I count the Pinza item as both. It shows him at his best, and has hitherto not found its ways into my CD collection. Occasionally items are not sung in their original language. Frida Leider's "Don Giovanni" aria sung in German in 1922 is preferred to her 1927 remake sung in Italian. Hina Spani sings Elsa's Dream in Italian. Some singers are recorded at the very end of their careers. Scottish soprano Mary Garden, Debussy's first Melisande, is heard in 1927 at her last recording session. Representing a miracle of good singing and longevity is Lucien Fugère recording a Gluck aria in 1928 at the age of 80. Tauber is heard near the beginning of his career in 1923. Youngest of all is the German baritone Gerhard Hüsch, aged 27.

I doubt that many who are considering purchase, every heard any of these singers. I happen to have heard two of them, when a very young man - Ninon Vallin and Elisabeth Schumann. To those who collect great voices on record, whether ever heard in performance or not, I restate that these Nimbus anthologies offer recreations of acoustic recordings that are well worth considering.

Average customer rating:

Love Me Or Hate Me

Love Me or Hate Me
3-2 Da Lef
Manufacturer: Mecca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Can You Feel It

Your Body's Callin'

ASIN: B00002JXDK
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

Body Satisfied
Back Seat
Ain't No Shame Ina
Got What You Want
Wink Your Eye
Lights Down Low
Will You Stay
Cupid
Shawdy
Brown Frame
Money
Back Seat (Reprise)
Lights Down Low (Freak Mix)
Shawdy's Bonus Joint

Customer Reviews:

Love Me Or Hate Me.......2000-04-08

The entire album is bumpin'! I've seen them in concert in Jackson, TN and their performance is high energy and sensual. Just like the songs. From the dance floor "Ain't No Shame...", to the bedroom "Lights Down Low", to summer crusin' with the top down "Brown Frame". You will love 3-2-Da-Lef's "Love Me or Hate Me" too!

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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