B.A.L.L. - Hardball/Ball Four (Shimmy Disc 1990)

I've been very busy with one thing and another over the past few weeks, hence the lack of recent posts, and to compound things I'm going away for a couple of weeks of heat and sun, so there'll be nothing new here until mid August. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this big, brash, howling mess of an album.

This was B.A.L.L.'s last (and best) record and you should all give it a try if you're in the mood for some dizzying, fuzzed out psychedelic freak-outs.

Tracklist:

01 Hardball
02 She's Always Driving
03 Timmy The Toad, Man
04 Mary Jane
05 The Road To Heaven
06 Ball Four Prelude
07 Ball One
08 Ball Two
09 Ball Three
10 Ball Four
11 R.I.P.

Get it HERE.

Noureddine Alane - Ya Ma (Chaâbi Music from Algeria)

I picked this up at a boot sale a few of weeks ago and its taken a bit of time to sink in. Its modern Chaabi music from Algeria and it blends Arabic, Jewish and Andalusian influences in quite a beautiful way. The melodies are complex and elusive, always unravelling a little way ahead of you and leading into unexpected spaces.

Here he is performing on Algerian TV:

Tracklisting:

01 Ya Ma
02 Kif Amali
03 El Houb Kayen Menou
04 Ghir Ana Wiyak
05 Yamna
06 El Mahbouba _ Enti Ghriba
07 Enchainement

Get it HERE.

Total Recall Vol 2 - Various Artists

I've been immensely enjoying the beautiful, clear blue skies and sunshine over the past couple of weeks and this here album has been a perfect accompaniment to the balmy heat. It's a very enjoyable compilation of Jamaican Dancehall hits from the late '70s up to the mid '80s, and every track's a winner. All the songs were produced by the late, great Henry 'Junjo' Lawes and if you're interested, you can find out more about him HERE.

Tracklist:

A1 Michigan & Smiley - Diseases
A2 Josey Wales - Woola Woope
A3 Sinbad - Fisherman Style
A4 Lee Van Cliff - Boom Salute
A5 Tayon - Stylee
A6 Josey Wales - Leggo Me Hand Gateman
A7 Eek-A-Mouse - Wah Do Them
B1 Michigan & Smiley - What Type Of World
B2 Nicodemus - Boneman Connection
B3 Josey Wales - Bobo Dread
B4 Charlie Chaplin - Bubbling Telephone
B5 Tayon - Barry G
B6 Michigan & Smiley - Come When Jah Call You
B7 Sister Nancy - Dance Pan The Corner

Get it HERE.