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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Back on Track? Maybe, just maybe......., 11 Feb 2006
As one who has been scathing of virtually all Hed Kandi releases since the brilliant Mark Doyle's departure, I took a chance with this after reading other reviews. Have to say, I wasn't disappointed. The Nu Cool series was early in Kandi history then fizzled out after volume 4 (my favourite). The series hallmark was smooth, soulful and sometimes funky grooves, and number 5 carries on that tradition but has thrown in a few numbers that I doubt would have made it onto the old series. Yes, unfortunately there's a couple of duff tracks here but there's more than enough to make up for it.The music is a little challenging and inaccessible at times but improves with each listen. On CD1 I really liked Lady T, Wanna Get Wet and One of Us - very curious to see a real oldie in the form of You Can't Hide From Yourself by Teddy Pendergrass here - does seem a little out of place but a good tune nonetheless. Disc 2 doesn't let up with a fantastic version of the Doobie Brothers' Listen to The Music by Incognito proving to be my personal highlight. Again a curious oldie inclusion is the Jackson 5 track - doing what sounds like their version of (sing along) - War, what is it good for? (absolutely nothin!) - but it's not that track, just a rip off and not particularly cool at all. Bah Samba are a great band but Kandi have included one of their weaker tracks Let The Drums Speak. Not a bad song but an ill-advised inclusion when there is better on offer from a remarkably consistent band. But ultimately, there's more than enough to pull it back to a four star album for me. When, at the end of CD2 you want to put CD1 on again then Kandi must have got it about right with this offering. Don't know whether they've done enough to redeem themselves just yet as I've firmly turned Japanese with Mark Doyle's excellent Tokyo Project - be interesting to see who has the rights to the brilliant Stereo Sushi series. Could be that if Kandi have the rights - as I suspect is the case - then they will be well on the road back to redemption if they put out quality like this. I'll be watching!
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~ Various Artists
~ Various Artists
~ Various Artists
~ Various Artists
~ Various Artists
See all 15 tracks on this disc
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